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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a great mystery book! I love an unreliable narrator and everyone is very unreliable. I’m not really sure who to root for. I don’t know who will come out on top. There are twists! It was really enjoyable to follow along with them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would describe this as a "cozy thriller", much like the style of Hallmark movies. It was an easy read and enjoyable for the most part, with lots of plot twists. However, I found it hard to sympathize with some of the characters' decisions. Devon was the only character I liked and I kept wanting the main character to end up with him instead.
I also find it hard to believe that someone who spent the entire book wanting to "get out" of her line of work and have a nice quiet life in a home of her own would then become a spy boss at the end. .
I also find it hard to believe that someone who spent the entire book wanting to "get out" of her line of work and have a nice quiet life in a home of her own would then become a spy boss at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Classism
Despite being a thriller, the descriptions of violence are very toned down. It's more about the threat of violence than actual violence.
One character is briefly incarcerated and questioned about a crime by police.
One character drinks heavily over the course of several days (and drives home after).
One very brief "closed door" sex scene.
Very brief mention of a character's interest in BDSM.
The main character's mother dies of cancer before the book begins. There are a couple of flashbacks to show her suffering with her terminal illness.
Two characters die in a car accident after the car is tampered with.
Several prominent politicians/judges are filmed in a hotel room with a group of women who are implied to be either exotic dancers or sex workers.
One character threatens to cut off the fingers of another character.
Brief description of a character setting fire to a hotel bed.
One character falls and hits their head on the floor. Brief mention of blood.
It is mentioned that all spies (except 2) were killed by their boss after a mission.
One character is implied to have been killed by an organized crime boss.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While I think this book was a little overhyped on TikTok, I still found the premise and the story arc interesting. It was a little different than most thriller/murder mysteries I’ve read in the past. The narrator is unreliable yet likeable. There were a lot of twists and turns, some expected and others unexpected. The ending is a little bit of a cliffhanger which is fun and leaves the reader wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Car accident
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Car accident, Alcohol
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Addiction
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First Lie Wins has been EVERYWHERE on here.
And I'm now in the appreciation club.
This is a fun, smart, and exciting story. I read it well into the wee hours, and very reluctantly put it down to get some actual sleep.
To sum up - believe the hype on this one! Go in blind and enjoy the journey.
This is author Ashley Elston's first adult book, and would be fantastic on screen.
Highly recommended!
And I'm now in the appreciation club.
This is a fun, smart, and exciting story. I read it well into the wee hours, and very reluctantly put it down to get some actual sleep.
To sum up - believe the hype on this one! Go in blind and enjoy the journey.
This is author Ashley Elston's first adult book, and would be fantastic on screen.
Highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this book, was fast paced was a quick read and it kept me guessing until the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Car accident, Alcohol