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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I thought this was a really compelling read and written beautifully! I could feel the suffocation of the younger generation of characters in contrast to the small town views around them. This was a slow-burn mystery and I can’t say that any of the revelations rocked my world, but the route we took to get there was enjoyable! The way this author writes will sink a chill into your bones. Thanks to Netgalley and @atriabooks for this review copy!
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars
Jaw drop! This is a strong debut from Anna Bailey - perfect for those that liked Little Fires Everywhere and the Night Swim. All the characters were so layered and complicated, you hate half of them so much. I had to put my ipad down a few times because I was seething reading about the men in this story. Then I had to remind myself it wasn’t real. It takes place in Whistling Ridge in Colorado - where Abigail, a teen in the area that goes missing after her best friend Emma leaves her in the woods to go to a party. The narrative shifts back and forth between the POV of many in town, in past and present. It gets a bit confusing at times and throws me off a few times. You soon learn that there are many secrets in Whistling Ridge - and they will do anything to keep it private. From the overzealous pastor who promotes violence against “outsiders,” Abigail’s violent father, her older brother Noah who is jealous of the affections she receives from her dad, and the creepy touchy feely sheriff - anyone and everyone is a suspect. This had me guessing the whole way through and instead of relief at the end, I hated one character less, and still felt such heaviness reading about all that happened to Abi. I am STILL thinking about it.
Trigger warnings: mentions of rape/ violence against women and lgptq+ characters
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Jaw drop! This is a strong debut from Anna Bailey - perfect for those that liked Little Fires Everywhere and the Night Swim. All the characters were so layered and complicated, you hate half of them so much. I had to put my ipad down a few times because I was seething reading about the men in this story. Then I had to remind myself it wasn’t real. It takes place in Whistling Ridge in Colorado - where Abigail, a teen in the area that goes missing after her best friend Emma leaves her in the woods to go to a party. The narrative shifts back and forth between the POV of many in town, in past and present. It gets a bit confusing at times and throws me off a few times. You soon learn that there are many secrets in Whistling Ridge - and they will do anything to keep it private. From the overzealous pastor who promotes violence against “outsiders,” Abigail’s violent father, her older brother Noah who is jealous of the affections she receives from her dad, and the creepy touchy feely sheriff - anyone and everyone is a suspect. This had me guessing the whole way through and instead of relief at the end, I hated one character less, and still felt such heaviness reading about all that happened to Abi. I am STILL thinking about it.
Trigger warnings: mentions of rape/ violence against women and lgptq+ characters
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
A small town community with depressing secrets; my another favourite thriller sub-category that I seem to enjoy quite a lot in the recent times!
WHERE THE TRUTH LIES is an incredibly atmospheric and a gripping slow burn mystery. Its true that this book would appeal the fan of Celeste Ng! It has creepy small town setting, dysfunctional family drama, a bit of coming of age thoughts, and a deep dark mystery that contains all these like a gum-ball machine. You put in the penny and stay excited to see which colour gum-ball you’ll get! Wildly good.
Thank you Atria books via Netgalley for the arc.
WHERE THE TRUTH LIES is an incredibly atmospheric and a gripping slow burn mystery. Its true that this book would appeal the fan of Celeste Ng! It has creepy small town setting, dysfunctional family drama, a bit of coming of age thoughts, and a deep dark mystery that contains all these like a gum-ball machine. You put in the penny and stay excited to see which colour gum-ball you’ll get! Wildly good.
Thank you Atria books via Netgalley for the arc.
DNF. I'm having to force myself to keep reading, so I'm lemming this one. I'm marginally interested, but it's not sucking me in at all.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
In Where the Truth Lies, Bailey explores racism, bigotry, family abuse, the cycle of abuse carried down through generations, homophobia, the toxicity of conversion therapy, and so much more. At the center of this town is the church, with a twisted pastor who uses the congregation to fuel his hatred using his rigid beliefs, living out the old testament in the bible.
So much comes to light after Abigail disappears. Unfortunately, the townspeople have spent so much time looking down on her family that they aren’t all that interested in her disappearance, including most of the police force. There are too many people carrying secrets that need to come to light.
Where the Truth Lies is a book that addresses so many real-world issues in such a small town. It’s an impactful, slow-creeping thriller that is sometimes a difficult read that will sit with you long after you’ve finished the last page. Thank you, Atria Books, for sending this along!
So much comes to light after Abigail disappears. Unfortunately, the townspeople have spent so much time looking down on her family that they aren’t all that interested in her disappearance, including most of the police force. There are too many people carrying secrets that need to come to light.
Where the Truth Lies is a book that addresses so many real-world issues in such a small town. It’s an impactful, slow-creeping thriller that is sometimes a difficult read that will sit with you long after you’ve finished the last page. Thank you, Atria Books, for sending this along!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated