Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - This is Why We Lied

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter

52 reviews

allymegl's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It was a bit slow in the beginning when we were getting to know the McAlpines, but I did enjoy it overall. We had to learn about them to understand the family dynamics and see who could have killed Mercy. I never figured it out. My mind kept changing on who could have done it. Once we get Faith up there, thiis book started to get better. We get the detective work and Sara's findings. The end had me shocked and grossed out. I feel bad for the suspect. They were a victim as well. Mercy was trying to turn her life around and her family just could not let her go. I enjoyed Will and Sara's relationship still during all of this. They were here for their honeymoon and of course they happen upon a murder. I never really suspected the other guests that had been up there. I enjoyed this snippet of a detective show on Hulu with a little dog that one enjoyed watching and that hinted at the Will Trent show. It is on Hulu and the little dog is Betty! I thought that was a fun Easter Egg.

Spoilers below:

Jon had stabbed Mercy, his own mother, in a fit of rage. He was being groomed and abused by Bitty. Bitty had manipulated Jon so badly. She had done the same to Dave too. Initially, Dave looked good for the murder since he had been grooming and abusing Mercy, but then we get the phone calls. Dave tried to say he did it in the end to protect Jon. Mercy also had thought she killed her friend, Gabbie, but it was really Cecil who abused Gabbie then sent them out in a car to make it look like Mercy was driving under influences and this possibly killed Gabbie and caused Mercy's facial scar. All of Mercy's family sucks besides Fishtopher and Delilah. Well they are somewhat redeemable. Delilah really truly wanted what was best for Jon at that time and tried to do best for Mercy. She was the only one to really care in the end, especially with visiting Jon at the institution. Fishtopher had unknowingly been slowly poisoning Chuck ever since he caught Chuck on top of Mercy. So that's why Chuck died. They were making and selling their own liquor, which is illegal. Almost poisoned one of the guests. I am not entirely sure what happened to Bitty. Did they ever find out Bitty was the one who manipulated Jon and was abusing him? In the last chapter, it says "she committed suicide" but I'm not sure if that is in regards to Dave's birth mother or to Bitty. I am glad it seems like they all are getting the consequences they deserve. I hope Delilah can help turn Jon around.

Content Warnings