Pearl Davis always had a rocky relationship with her mom, Sally, and she never could quite make sense of her mother’s coldness. But after Sally dies and leaves Pearl a letter confessing to murder, Pearl’s whole world turns upside down. At first, she thinks it’s just her mom’s mind slipping in her final days until she stumbles on human remains buried in Sally’s garden. With the help of a friend, Pearl digs deeper (literally and figuratively), following eerie notes that seem to be more of a warning than a confession. As more secrets and bones come to light, Pearl realizes her mom’s past might come back to haunt her too.

I’ll admit, though, I’m a pretty fast reader and the pacing felt a little off for me. Between the shifting POVs and all the new clues popping up, it was sometimes tricky to keep track of what was actually going on.

I liked the concept of this book - the suspense and mystery surrounding the plot was what hooked me from the start. The clues were a fun touch, keeping me entertained along with multiple different layers of plot to sift through. I did find that the pacing was a bit off, particularly in the middle where it seemed to drag.
The suspense and messed up family drama kept me turning pages until the very end.

This was my first Elle Marr book and I’m looking forward to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eArc.

SO good—I couldn’t stop reading!!

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. Elle Marr knows how to craft a compelling mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. The pacing was spot-on, and I found myself flying through the pages because I had to know what would happen next.

The story is layered with secrets, tension, and just the right amount of emotional depth. I really enjoyed how the characters were developed—you’re never quite sure who to trust, which made the reading experience all the more immersive. The dual timelines were especially well done and added an extra layer of suspense.

If you love thrillers that keep you up late reading “just one more chapter,” this one is definitely for you! This was my first book by Elle Marr, and now I’m excited to explore more of her work. Highly recommend to fans of twisty, character-driven suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me a copy of this book. It’s an interesting concept, I think could have been tightened up a little on the execution. The pacing is a little off for me, and I am a quick/binge reader – but this did unfortunately feel a little clunky at times. One of the struggles I had was keeping track of everything happening instead of a story progressing, couple with the switching POV’s in the book, made this a challenge to keep straight in my mind. I did however really like Pearl, but she talks a lot – to no one in particular? If you like a thriller type and can keep it all straight in your own head, this might be a good read for you!

Confusing and difficult to follow at times, the plot became even more complicated with the different POVs and flashbacks.
The story starts off well, and the premise was great, as was the setting in the museum, and the complex persona of Opal. The fear and the menacing intimidation came through well, but the middle chapters were tough to navigate. The back and forth was confusing, and some of the scenes like the digging up and then just leaving the evidence there for days seemed unbelievable.

This book was well written but as a thriller I found it to be entirely too predictable and a lot of things that happened just didn't make sense.

Thank you so much to the Netgalley, publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book and give my honest review!

This book was full of twists and turns that made my jaw drop. Pearl was such an interesting and complex character. I love the way the family bonds were questioned and disected. It is an unforgettable journey filled with intense details and drops. I want to read Elle Marr’s other books soon because this flowed flawlessly. The writing was done so intentionally and that helped me finish it in a few hours. I ate it up. Pearl became a character i won’t forget for a long time. So glad i read it on a gloomy cold day because the atmosphere and the mood while reading this was just chef’s kiss.
If you love psychological suspense novels with complex characters, interesting discoveries and family relationships then this is the perfect book for you.

DNF 35%

Unfortunately this thriller really wasn't working for me for a few reasons, mainly our main character Pearl. Firstly the letter hunt doesn't make any sense, because she's either making these leaps in logic to guess where the next letter is or she's finding them on accident. Because the second letter she finds is in a frame that was in her mothers stuff that she just so happened to decide to go through and the only reason she saw the letter is because she threw it and the letter dislodged itself, so she never would have found it if she hadn't decided to randomly throw this frame.

Also at one point she finds a body, exciting right. Well no cause the chapter ends, we switch to a different POV and when we get back to Pearl we've jumped days ahead. Like we spent no time with that damn body which could have been actually interesting. Have her find more clues there or something but we just skipped away from it.

Also, and this is nit picky I know, but Pearl kept talking to herself out loud. We are in her head, we can read her inner monologue so why are you having this woman continuously verbalize things out loud like she's not standing there by herself. And her disdain for her mom's caregiver was getting on my nerves as well, that anger seemed very misplaced. I understand she's grieving and she does somewhat blame the caregiver but it was still annoying

Now all of these things may have a reason behind them and may tie into the twist, but I'm not enjoying this enough nor do I care enough to push through and find out. There is a second POV in the book, that I loved and I wish it was more of that and less of Pearl because those chapters had me locked in. I do seem to be the unpopular opinion, so maybe still give the book a shot if it sounds interesting to you!

‘A daughter inherits her mother’s deadly secrets in a chilling novel of psychological suspense by Elle Marr…’
 
Although the misdirection in this E. Marr’s latest was fair, the convolution was thick and the implausibility was constant. And it is because of those two incredible hurdles that I grappled with The Lie She Wears. Sadly, it was a struggle for me to finish.

I’m sure there will be other readers who enjoy this. Unfortunately it wasn’t me.

Regardless, I am always grateful. Thank you NG and T & M for this arc in exchange for review.
 
Pub: 11.18.2025.

First, shout-out to the intriguing premise (I love the idea of a museum curator solving a mystery) and the gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, the pacing felt very off for me. It read as a list of things happening versus a story unfolding, which made it challenging to stay interested. This ended up being a DNF for me, but given that so many other reviewers loved it, I'm confident it will find its audience.

Elle Marr has done it again with a twisty, atmospheric thriller that hooked me from the very first page. The Lie She Wears is a slow-burn suspense that expertly builds tension, layering secrets and emotional depth in a way that keeps you questioning everything.

The story explores complicated family dynamics and long-buried truths, all while maintaining a strong undercurrent of mystery. Marr's writing is sharp and immersive, with a protagonist who feels real and relatable. I found myself completely invested in her journey as she tries to make sense of the past while facing unexpected revelations.
As someone who reads and reviews regularly, I really appreciate when a thriller balances character development with plot-driven momentum-and this book nails it. I'll definitely be recommending it to fellow readers who enjoy psychological suspense with emotional weight and a satisfying sense of payoff.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy!

I enjoyed reading the book, there were very few grammar mistakes I could find and the story was good. I found the book to drag on a bit in several spots, but overall I did like it a lot. I loved the twists and finding out all the details of their past and how the ending played out.

The Lie She Wears is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends family drama with slow-burning suspense. The story centers on Pearl, an intelligent and compelling protagonist with a doctorate who works in museum curation—a refreshing and nuanced career choice that adds depth to her character.

Told from multiple perspectives, the narrative keeps readers guessing, especially with one character’s identity cleverly concealed until the end. Marr’s writing keeps the tension simmering, leading to a truly diabolical villain reveal and devastating twists that hit hard.

This is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with smart female leads, layered family secrets, and jaw-dropping conclusions. Highly recommend!

The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr, published by Thomas & Mercer, is a full length, suspenseful thriller that had me from start, literally unputdownable I read the story of Pearl and Sally in one single sitting.
Twisty, with unexpected turns that had me guessing till the last page, I recommend the book, 4,5 stars.

The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr is a creepy, slow burn psychological thriller! This book takes the idea of uncovering family secrets to a whole new level, and it’s impossible to put down once you start peeling back the layers. Pearl is a museum curator and has a complicated relationship with her cold and mysterious mother. When her mom dies and leaves behind a literal murder confession in a letter, you know you’re in for a ride! But that confession starts looking way too real, especially when actual human remains are found in her mother’s garden. The notes, warnings, and the cryptic vibes, all come together to build the perfect story of how we can never really outrun the past.

It centers around Pearl (FMC) , who is grappling with the loss of her mother, Sally, a relationship that was never particularly close. However, Pearl's grief takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a bizarre letter from Sally confessing to a murder. The story explores Pearl's confusion and disbelief, questioning whether it's a consequence of her mother's declining health or a revelation of deeply hidden secrets. Pearl is left to navigate the implications of this shocking information, unaware of the profound changes it will bring to her life.

This book is told by multiple POV’s, which makes complete since when it ties together.
I found the intricate plot and unexpected twists thoroughly satisfying, and the ending was truly awesome. The author's excellent writing made for a smooth and enjoyable reading experience. For those who need a palette cleanser or who enjoy thrillers or psychological suspense, read this book.  The story's complexity and layered narrative kept me completely engrossed, constantly needing to uncover the truth. Even when I thought I had pieced everything together, this book was like hold my beer. Haha. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first book that I read by Elle Marr & it won’t be my last! Fun fact-I finished this book when I had a flat in a tire shop & it was hard to pull from when I realized my tires were ready. Haha.

Add this book to your TBR, it drops on 11/18/25! 

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The Lies She Wore by Elle Marr offers an engaging family drama intertwined with a suspenseful mystery rooted in a strained mother-daughter relationship. Pearl Davis, a museum curator, inherits a shocking letter from her mother Sally upon her passing—confessing to murder. This revelation sparks Pearl’s quest to uncover the truth behind her mother’s past and the disturbing secrets lurking in her garden. While the premise is compelling and keeps you turning pages, I found some aspects of the story to be somewhat underdeveloped. The characters, especially Pearl, felt a bit one-dimensional at times, and the pacing lagged in certain sections, which diminished the overall tension. That said, the narrative does build toward an intriguing climax with enough clues and cryptic notes to maintain interest. Elle Marr’s writing is accessible and creates a captivating atmosphere, but I was hoping for deeper emotional insight into Pearl’s internal struggle and more layered character development. Overall, The Lies She Wore is a solid read for fans of family secrets and mysteries, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights I expected. Still, it’s worth picking up if you're looking for a quick, suspenseful story with an ominous undertone.

I seem to be the odd person out based on some other reviews for The Lies She Wears. I thought the premise seemed super interesting, but I absolutely couldn’t get into this one. I stopped reading about three times, then finally went back and did a lot of skimming just to see if it would get better, and get to the end.

The best description I can think of for this book is “try hard.” It tries to seem suspenseful, it tries to be somewhat intellectual, it tries to be interesting….and doesn’t hit any of those notes for me. First off, 85% of the dialogue is the MC, Pearl, talking out loud to herself. I also see zero point/rationale for most of the plot to make any sense. It is layered not in an interesting way, but just convoluted and nonsensical.

Unfortunately I have zero interest in checking out any other titles by this author.
⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Pearl is coming to terms with the death of her mother, Sally, with whom she never had a great relationship. But when she receives a strange letter left to her by Sally, she’s completely thrown – her mother confesses to murder. She doesn’t know what to believe; is it just a sign of her mother’s worsening dementia, or has her mother been keeping some seriously dark secrets? And what on earth is she supposed to do with this information? Pearl has no idea how much her life’s about to change.

The story’s told in alternating viewpoints of multiple characters, one of whom remains an enigma for most of the book. And it’s not your typical mystery plot, trying to determine who committed the crime, as we’re told at the start who did it, but the question is why.

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes descriptions of Pearl’s job as a museum curator, as it’s something I’ve always been fascinated with. It ties in perfectly with the research she undertakes into her mother’s life. Sifting through old documents and possessions to determine what’s important and who might have the answers Pearl’s looking for. And some of those answers are completely shocking, just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going on. I was really engaged in the story and had trouble putting the book down! I just had to reach the end and see how it would all be tied together. I wasn’t disappointed!

I enjoyed this book, it had a really intricate plot with some serious layers. It kept me reading, needing to have answers for what the hell was going on. Even when you think you have it figures out, you probably don't!
The writing really shone in the creepier scenes, pulling me into the atmosphere and making me feel uneasy. The family relationships are complex and well explored making you reflect on how much you really might not know about a person, even those closest to you.
I did feel at times like the prose could have been a bit more concise, but this could have been me being super impatient for answers. There were a lot of different characters to keep track of which at times felt a bit confusing but not too bad. The payoff is decent, and the story threads all tie together. I would recommend this book to fans of domestic thrillers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book! All opinions are my own