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Tuesday, July 20, 2021

#ATBR2021 Review: The Good Lie by A.R. Torre

The Good Lie
by A.R. Torre

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this gifted book.

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publish Date: July 20, 2021
Paperback
356 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Six teens murdered. A suspect behind bars. A desperate father. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.

Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is an expert on killers. She’s spent a decade treating California’s most depraved predators and unlocking their motives—predators much like the notorious Bloody Heart serial killer, whose latest teenage victim escaped and then identified local high school teacher Randall Thompson as his captor. The case against Thompson as the Bloody Heart Killer is damning—and closed, as far as Gwen and the media are concerned. If not for one new development…

Defense attorney Robert Kavin is a still-traumatized father whose own son fell prey to the BH Killer. Convinced of Thompson’s innocence, he steps in to represent him. Now Robert wants Gwen to interview the accused, create a psych profile of the killer and his victims, and help clear his client’s name.

As Gwen and Robert grow closer and she dives deeper into the investigation, grave questions arise. So does Gwen’s suspicion that Robert is hiding something—and that he might not be the only one with a secret.

Six teenagers dead. Finally, the killer behind bars. But are the games just beginning?

My Review:


My second Torre novel (though admittedly I still have her Deanna Madden series on my kindle that I swear I'll get to in the very near future-ish!)... and I knew I should've listened to Jessica ages ago about picking this author up. Torre delivers Dr. Gwen Moore, a psychiatrist specialized in the most depraved of killers, and Mr. Robert Kavin, a defense attorney whose son was killed by a serial killer but doesn't believe the person who confessed is actually guilty. Um, what the what?! YESSSSSSSSSSSS.  Sold.  TAKE. MY. MONEY.

I'm fascinated with the human mind and considered criminal psychology in college (among the many other majors I considered but let's not go there....).  My insane fascination with serial killers and what drives a human to take another's life... it seemed destined.  But PHEW, Dr. Moore... I don't know if I could do her job at the end of the day.  And certainly, Kavin shouldn't be involved in this case/investigation - definitely too close to it.  As a matter of fact, there were a number of weirdly unprofessional things happening... though subtly which felt odd throughout the read. 

The volleying between Moore and Kavin was genius.  As they size up everyone around them, they also size each other up in the process.  They felt very human too.  Torre has a way of bringing characters to life where they are extremely relatable and this is how you end up being fully engaged in the story.  With THE GOOD LIE, this popcorn of a thriller read will keep you entertained.  Prepare to suspend a little belief but believe the journey is worth it.

★★★★

Jessica's Review:


I've loved AR Torre since flying through her Deanna Madden series (THE GIRL IN 6E) and I've read everything of hers since! THE GOOD LIE is another fast paced thriller that I finished in about a 24 hour period. You can expect short chapters, plenty of tension and suspense, and enough twists to throw you off and keep you guessing.

It's going to be hard to talk about this one without potentially spoiling it, so I'll stick to the basics. Dr. Gwen Moore is a successful psychiatrist and her specialty is those with violent tendencies and predators. With a clear fascination with killers, it's the opportunity of a life time to be asked to create a psychological profile on the most notorious serial killer, the Bloody Heart Killer. His seventh, and most recent, victim managed to escape and has identified his captor, and Gwen gets to interview him to see if he fits her profile based on the evidence.

Robert Kavin's son was the sixth victim of the Bloody Heart Killer and to the shock of everyone, he steps forward to be the defense attorney of the man arrested for the murders. He believes in his innocence and that things about the escape don't add up. And so begins the all the efforts to untangle this web of lies and secrets to find out who the killer is. 

I loved every minute of this book! I didn't figure out the ending and I was so happy when the reveal came. Torre knows how to weave together all the pieces so perfectly without it feeling too perfect, if that makes sense. The dynamic between Gwen and Robert was tense and I enjoyed seeing it all unfold. I highly recommend this book and anything else by her. Now the wait begins for her next book. 

5 stars 

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