“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.

Stevens returns to thriller with No Lie Lasts Forever. The concept of a former serial killer working with a disgraced TV reporter to protect his reputation is interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and trying to see how all of the clues and circumstances fit together. However, the pacing was rather slow for a suspense novel, and there was a lot of filler within the plot. The book also has almost too many characters. If I weren’t taking notes along the way, I would have lost track. Plus, the plot was predictable from the get go. I could see where it was going by 15% of the way through. Even so, the last 50 pages are where the action gets good, leading up to a satisfying ending.

Zodiac with a terrifying twist, in a taut thriller from author Mark Stevens about a reformed serial killer and the disgraced journalist he coaxes into finding the imposter trading on his name! Good book! This book had chilling suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, serial killers, cat and mouse, intriguing, action and a few chilling twists! The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Book Review
No Lie Lasts Forever
Mark Stevens
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


A brilliant and famous crime reporter, Robbie McGrath, has been brutally murdered. The media and police almost hysterically report that the infamous PDQ Serial Killer is back after a fifteen-year hiatus. The city of Denver is thrown into a fearful uproar.

TV journalist Flynn Martin is still reeling from a blow to her self-esteem and career after she’s drawn into a televised hostage situation that ends with the deaths of both a hostage and the gunman.

Author Mark Stevens ratchets up the tension and intrigue in this marvelous thriller and police procedural. Flynn is anonymously contacted by Harry Kugel—the actual PDQ killer—who is outraged that someone else is trying to capitalize on his “outstanding” reputation. He vehemently denies committing this latest crime and insists he has reformed. Using threats and coercion, he enlists Flynn’s aid to discover the “real” perpetrator and clear his name. How dare some amateur ride his coattails of infamy?

To expose the true killer of her colleague, Flynn stealthily begins her own investigation. Unfortunately, a dangerous cat-and-mouse game ensues between her, Harry, and the police. Along the way, her son Wyatt’s safety becomes a terrifying pawn, as Harry heartlessly leverages her silent cooperation.

Can a serial killer truly reform? Who can trust his twisted sense of right and wrong?

This multi-faceted, twisted plot involves politicians, the police, and other journalists—each with their own agendas. Flynn must explore the recent cases Robbie was investigating to uncover possible clues to her murder. Are dirty cops part of the story? Harry Kugel insists he’s now a functioning, everyday member of society. Stevens dives deep into the mind, motives, and origins of this heinous monster.

Mark Stevens weaves a harrowing, viscerally intense narrative filled with deeply authentic characters into a page-turning gem loaded with twists and unexpected turns. Flynn’s investigation inadvertently leads her into the everyday world of this narcissistic, sociopathic killer.

I started reading this engrossing thriller on my Kindle but was so captivated that I finished the last quarter of the book on the audiobook version, expertly narrated by Ina Barron. She has appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, Royal Pains, and NCIS, and has received multiple awards for her voice work. Barron masterfully brought this tale to life in the theater of my mind with her dynamic vocal inflections and emotional range across multiple characters.

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Audio for providing an uncorrected proof and advance audio version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a thrilling and exciting read. It kept me invested and interested throughout. The story was compelling, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put it down I needed to know the outcome.