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dave_lyesmith's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lilibetbombshell's review
3.0
It’s always hard when you go to write a review for a book and you’re torn, because on one hand the plot is pretty darn cool and the characters are interesting, but the execution of both plot and character just falls flat.
This is the case for me when it comes to “She Lied, She Died”. The plot, which centers around a would-be writer who still lives on the farm where a teenage girl was found dead when she was a little girl and the just-paroled woman who was imprisoned for the crime who is now proclaiming her innocence even though she confessed to the crime when it happened, is actually an interesting and compelling subject manner to start out with. Both of them are outcasts in their town: the would-be writer because the body was found on her family’s land, and the just-paroled woman because, well, she was paroled for killing a teenage girl when she was just a teenager herself and was considered white trash by the rest of the town.
This book could have been an awesome opportunity to explore the themes of poverty somehow still being an acceptable prejudice in this country, of how disadvantaged teenagers are always prime targets for law enforcement, of how media values the beauty of a victim when it comes to crime, and how everyone loves a linear narrative when it comes to violent crime in small towns.
Sadly, this book veered off course. Instead of sticking with our two central characters and unraveling the truth in a more intimate and intriguing way, Lynch runs with just our protagonist as she all of a sudden needs to see her great aunt and her childhood best friend. And all this for a pretty lackluster ending.
This book is mildly diverting, but it didn’t live up to its potential.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for granting me access to this title.
As per personal policy, this review will not appear on any bookseller or social media website due to the 3 star or lower rating.
This is the case for me when it comes to “She Lied, She Died”. The plot, which centers around a would-be writer who still lives on the farm where a teenage girl was found dead when she was a little girl and the just-paroled woman who was imprisoned for the crime who is now proclaiming her innocence even though she confessed to the crime when it happened, is actually an interesting and compelling subject manner to start out with. Both of them are outcasts in their town: the would-be writer because the body was found on her family’s land, and the just-paroled woman because, well, she was paroled for killing a teenage girl when she was just a teenager herself and was considered white trash by the rest of the town.
This book could have been an awesome opportunity to explore the themes of poverty somehow still being an acceptable prejudice in this country, of how disadvantaged teenagers are always prime targets for law enforcement, of how media values the beauty of a victim when it comes to crime, and how everyone loves a linear narrative when it comes to violent crime in small towns.
Sadly, this book veered off course. Instead of sticking with our two central characters and unraveling the truth in a more intimate and intriguing way, Lynch runs with just our protagonist as she all of a sudden needs to see her great aunt and her childhood best friend. And all this for a pretty lackluster ending.
This book is mildly diverting, but it didn’t live up to its potential.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for granting me access to this title.
As per personal policy, this review will not appear on any bookseller or social media website due to the 3 star or lower rating.
angelkat556's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book! It was my second or third by this author and I thought it was a good one. Natalie is obsessed with a murder where the victim was left on her family's property. The killer confessed, was sentenced to prison and is now getting out...and claiming her confession was a lie and she was innocent the whole time. Natalie, who has a creative writing degree, decides to write a true crime book based on Chrissy's new story - and found out way more than she bargained for.
I read this book in one two-hour sitting. It was a fast read that kept me very enthralled, as I wanted to know who did it and why. I was definitely surprised at the end, both by who actually did it and the chain reaction their confession caused. It was shocking and all too plausible. If you like a good thriller, pick this up! 4 stars.
I read this book in one two-hour sitting. It was a fast read that kept me very enthralled, as I wanted to know who did it and why. I was definitely surprised at the end, both by who actually did it and the chain reaction their confession caused. It was shocking and all too plausible. If you like a good thriller, pick this up! 4 stars.
creaseinthespinebooks's review against another edition
4.0
She lied, she died had all the check marks of a great thriller.especially when theres a mind blowing shocker.
The characters were well written, the plot was interesting, and that ending was awesome.
There were characters in this book that you loved to hate but i felt the characters
I read many books so it’s hard to shock me but not this book. That ending was like a roller coaster ride I never wanted to end. There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Well done Carissa Ann Lynch.
I would definitely recommend it.
The characters were well written, the plot was interesting, and that ending was awesome.
There were characters in this book that you loved to hate but i felt the characters
I read many books so it’s hard to shock me but not this book. That ending was like a roller coaster ride I never wanted to end. There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Well done Carissa Ann Lynch.
I would definitely recommend it.
debs_shelves's review against another edition
5.0
This author always comes through with amazing thrillers!
A murder many years ago. A woman living at the family farm where the body was found when she was a child. A "confessed" killer now released after serving her time and recanting her confession.
This was a page turner with so many twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat up until the end!
Thanks to Netgalley & Harper Collins for an advance copy.
A murder many years ago. A woman living at the family farm where the body was found when she was a child. A "confessed" killer now released after serving her time and recanting her confession.
This was a page turner with so many twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat up until the end!
Thanks to Netgalley & Harper Collins for an advance copy.
kellyyou_'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
angelkat556's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book! It was my second or third by this author and I thought it was a good one. Natalie is obsessed with a murder where the victim was left on her family's property. The killer confessed, was sentenced to prison and is now getting out...and claiming her confession was a lie and she was innocent the whole time. Natalie, who has a creative writing degree, decides to write a true crime book based on Chrissy's new story - and found out way more than she bargained for.
I read this book in one two-hour sitting. It was a fast read that kept me very enthralled, as I wanted to know who did it and why. I was definitely surprised at the end, both by who actually did it and the chain reaction their confession caused. It was shocking and all too plausible. If you like a good thriller, pick this up! 4 stars.
I read this book in one two-hour sitting. It was a fast read that kept me very enthralled, as I wanted to know who did it and why. I was definitely surprised at the end, both by who actually did it and the chain reaction their confession caused. It was shocking and all too plausible. If you like a good thriller, pick this up! 4 stars.
gcreed13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
jonannlovesbooktalk's review against another edition
5.0
Holy Cow! This book sucked me in like a piece of lint run over by a Hoover vacuum cleaner! There are so many plot twists and lies, I did not know what to believe. She Lied She Died by Carissa Ann Lynch, is a G-R-E-A-T book you don't want to miss!!!
Main Characters:
Jenny Juliott age-14, was a very popular and beautiful young girl. She was found murdered on the Breyas family farm. Who killed Jenny? Why was her body left in a field?
Natalie Breyas was just 9-years-old when Jenny's body was found on land owned by her family. As a adult, Natalie has never come to terms with the childhood trauma of seeing Jenny's dead body outside the window of her house. Natalie still has questions and knows who has the answers. Will she uncover the truth?
Chrissy Cornwell lived in a trailer next door to the Breyas farm. At 15-years-old Chrissy confessed to Jenny's murder, but did she really commit the crime? Is there more to the story?
This is such a juicy novel. Several times I thought I had it figured out, but boy was I wrong. This is my first Carissa Ann Lynch book. I am now a huge fan of her work. I highly recommend this 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read! It will be published April 26th.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360, for the joy of reviewing this thrilling e-book. I loved every page!
Main Characters:
Jenny Juliott age-14, was a very popular and beautiful young girl. She was found murdered on the Breyas family farm. Who killed Jenny? Why was her body left in a field?
Natalie Breyas was just 9-years-old when Jenny's body was found on land owned by her family. As a adult, Natalie has never come to terms with the childhood trauma of seeing Jenny's dead body outside the window of her house. Natalie still has questions and knows who has the answers. Will she uncover the truth?
Chrissy Cornwell lived in a trailer next door to the Breyas farm. At 15-years-old Chrissy confessed to Jenny's murder, but did she really commit the crime? Is there more to the story?
This is such a juicy novel. Several times I thought I had it figured out, but boy was I wrong. This is my first Carissa Ann Lynch book. I am now a huge fan of her work. I highly recommend this 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read! It will be published April 26th.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360, for the joy of reviewing this thrilling e-book. I loved every page!