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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Where the Truth Lies begins at a party in the Tall Bones outside of the small community of Whistling Ridge, Colorado. It's a place where the local kids gather to blow off steam, drink beer, and escape from their parents and day-to-day lives for a bit. Emma sees her best friend Abi walk into the woods, but does not accompany or follow her. Abi never emerges. She never shows up back at home. After Abi vanishes, questions ensue and Emma feels guilty because she believes she was the last person to see her that night. And she didn't look out for her, thinking that Abi just wanted to go make out with a boy.
Abi comes from an unhappy, dysfunctional home. Her father, Samuel Blake, is significantly older than her mother, a Vietnam War veteran who was raised by a mother who wielded Bible teachings like a sword. Samuel does the same thing with his three children. He is controlling, with a vile, violent temper, and regularly abuses his two sons, Noah, the eldest, and Jude, who is a twelve-year-old sweet-tempered child who has been permanently disabled by his father's abuse. Their mother, Dolly, also suffers Samuel's physical wrath and fails to protect her sons. Abigail, though, is her father's precious girl and he does not subject her to the same treatment.
Noah is thoughtful and planned to attend UCLA as an English major, but he was forced to notify the institution he would be unable to attend due to financial issues. One particularly heinous episode in the Blake household required the expenditure of the only substantial money his parents had on medical bills. Now Noah is stuck in Whistling Ridge. Noah has strong feelings for Rat and the two of them spend time exploring their connection, even though Noah's father is an unrepentant homophobe, as are many of the town's residents, including the fire and brimstone-preaching Pastor Ed Lewis, who offers conversion therapy to members of his congregation.
Emma Alvarez has also felt the impact of racism and prejudice. Although her mother is a local physician, her father, Miguel, mysteriously left town when Emma was just a little girl. But she doesn't know what happened or why he left, because her mother will not share the details with her. Others intimate that some horrible event drove him to run away. Indeed, Jerry Mattox, the most powerful man in town and her father's former employer, threatens her that she will end up like her father if she doesn't stop poking around in search of answers, even though Emma doesn't know exactly that that means. And now Emma has lost her best friend, Abi, and is the subject of gossip by kids at school. In the bathroom, she overhears other girls saying, "Can you believe Emma Alvarez just left her there? Do you think that's why she was taken?" But, in fact, no one knows if Abi is dead or alive, although foul play becomes a distinct possibility once her bloodied sweater is discovered in the woods. Emma will not stop searching for the truth until she knows exactly what happened to Abi, and it is her determination that compels Bailey's story forward.
Where the Truth Lies is a richly atmospheric, dark, and haunting story about a small town in which the most powerful residents are bigoted, homophobic, and determined to stop those they deem "others" to infiltrate their tight-knit circle. Men like Jerry Mattox and Ed Lewis demonstrate they will stop at nothing to ensure that their positions of power and influence are secure, even if it means getting involved in and covering up the behavior of their children or committing unspeakable acts. Bailey compassionately illustrates Emma's devotion to the friend she thought she knew so well, and dismay when she learns that Abi engaged in behaviors and had relationships about which Emma was unaware. Emma escapes from her unhappy life in unhealthy ways, skipping school and hanging out with Rat in the trailer park, but recognizes that she needs to find better ways to cope. As for Dolly, she is a battered woman who has failed as a mother by not shielding her sons from her husband or seeking to escape. Eventually, she realizes just how derelict she has been in her duty to protect her children. But is it too late to save all of them, along with herself? Her husband, Samuel, is as unlikable a character as readers are likely to encounter, but Bailey explains how his upbringing made him into a monster. Can he be redeemed?
In her debut, Bailey shows she is an eloquent wordsmith. She convincingly transports readers to the brooding, ominously claustrophobic little town of Whistling Ridge where all of the inhabitants know each other and their histories, and movingly conveys the depth of her characters' feelings about their complicated lives and dreams for the future. At the center of the story is Abi, the girl whose disappearance sets in motion a series of events that will change the characters' lives, and the little town in which they live, forever. Bailey tells the tale through alternating narratives set "then" and "now," and effectively provides critical exposition from the points of view of her characters.
Where the Truth Lies is ultimately both heart-breaking and affirming.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
Abi comes from an unhappy, dysfunctional home. Her father, Samuel Blake, is significantly older than her mother, a Vietnam War veteran who was raised by a mother who wielded Bible teachings like a sword. Samuel does the same thing with his three children. He is controlling, with a vile, violent temper, and regularly abuses his two sons, Noah, the eldest, and Jude, who is a twelve-year-old sweet-tempered child who has been permanently disabled by his father's abuse. Their mother, Dolly, also suffers Samuel's physical wrath and fails to protect her sons. Abigail, though, is her father's precious girl and he does not subject her to the same treatment.
Noah is thoughtful and planned to attend UCLA as an English major, but he was forced to notify the institution he would be unable to attend due to financial issues. One particularly heinous episode in the Blake household required the expenditure of the only substantial money his parents had on medical bills. Now Noah is stuck in Whistling Ridge. Noah has strong feelings for Rat and the two of them spend time exploring their connection, even though Noah's father is an unrepentant homophobe, as are many of the town's residents, including the fire and brimstone-preaching Pastor Ed Lewis, who offers conversion therapy to members of his congregation.
Emma Alvarez has also felt the impact of racism and prejudice. Although her mother is a local physician, her father, Miguel, mysteriously left town when Emma was just a little girl. But she doesn't know what happened or why he left, because her mother will not share the details with her. Others intimate that some horrible event drove him to run away. Indeed, Jerry Mattox, the most powerful man in town and her father's former employer, threatens her that she will end up like her father if she doesn't stop poking around in search of answers, even though Emma doesn't know exactly that that means. And now Emma has lost her best friend, Abi, and is the subject of gossip by kids at school. In the bathroom, she overhears other girls saying, "Can you believe Emma Alvarez just left her there? Do you think that's why she was taken?" But, in fact, no one knows if Abi is dead or alive, although foul play becomes a distinct possibility once her bloodied sweater is discovered in the woods. Emma will not stop searching for the truth until she knows exactly what happened to Abi, and it is her determination that compels Bailey's story forward.
Where the Truth Lies is a richly atmospheric, dark, and haunting story about a small town in which the most powerful residents are bigoted, homophobic, and determined to stop those they deem "others" to infiltrate their tight-knit circle. Men like Jerry Mattox and Ed Lewis demonstrate they will stop at nothing to ensure that their positions of power and influence are secure, even if it means getting involved in and covering up the behavior of their children or committing unspeakable acts. Bailey compassionately illustrates Emma's devotion to the friend she thought she knew so well, and dismay when she learns that Abi engaged in behaviors and had relationships about which Emma was unaware. Emma escapes from her unhappy life in unhealthy ways, skipping school and hanging out with Rat in the trailer park, but recognizes that she needs to find better ways to cope. As for Dolly, she is a battered woman who has failed as a mother by not shielding her sons from her husband or seeking to escape. Eventually, she realizes just how derelict she has been in her duty to protect her children. But is it too late to save all of them, along with herself? Her husband, Samuel, is as unlikable a character as readers are likely to encounter, but Bailey explains how his upbringing made him into a monster. Can he be redeemed?
In her debut, Bailey shows she is an eloquent wordsmith. She convincingly transports readers to the brooding, ominously claustrophobic little town of Whistling Ridge where all of the inhabitants know each other and their histories, and movingly conveys the depth of her characters' feelings about their complicated lives and dreams for the future. At the center of the story is Abi, the girl whose disappearance sets in motion a series of events that will change the characters' lives, and the little town in which they live, forever. Bailey tells the tale through alternating narratives set "then" and "now," and effectively provides critical exposition from the points of view of her characters.
Where the Truth Lies is ultimately both heart-breaking and affirming.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
WHERE THE TRUTH LIES
By: Anna Bailey
Initially, I had a hard time jumping into the story. The writing felt a bit bumpy and scattered. I wasn’t sure exactly what story was being told. Part of that had to do with one of the major themes in the book, which was religion.
This book was FULL of religion and religious context. The mystery in the story took a ride in the backseat for most of the book. It was a focus, but there were so many heavy themes going on that it at times felt like a literary fiction title. This is NOT a light read.
There were several times while reading that I felt like I was unattached from the characters, which given the material, is not good.
Overall, this was three stars for me. I do recommend this title to readers looking for depth in themes, specifically religion, abuse, family systems, and family curses. If you are looking for a heavy thriller that explores who you are in relation to who you worship, I recommend this title.
Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this advanced reader's copy!
By: Anna Bailey
Initially, I had a hard time jumping into the story. The writing felt a bit bumpy and scattered. I wasn’t sure exactly what story was being told. Part of that had to do with one of the major themes in the book, which was religion.
This book was FULL of religion and religious context. The mystery in the story took a ride in the backseat for most of the book. It was a focus, but there were so many heavy themes going on that it at times felt like a literary fiction title. This is NOT a light read.
There were several times while reading that I felt like I was unattached from the characters, which given the material, is not good.
Overall, this was three stars for me. I do recommend this title to readers looking for depth in themes, specifically religion, abuse, family systems, and family curses. If you are looking for a heavy thriller that explores who you are in relation to who you worship, I recommend this title.
Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this advanced reader's copy!
I struggled with this one. The topics covered are VERY dark: incest, homophobia, Christian extremism and when it’s all piled on top of each other, it’s tough to handle.
Bailey does a good job of making things feel grim. The characters are all largely unlikeable - but in a good way - and the town of Whispering Ridge feels incredibly claustrophobic.
Ultimately, I landed on three stars. It’s good, but it was a little too heavy and a little too slow for my taste. The “reveal” wasn’t a huge surprise, the most awful character in the book is of course the one responsible. Still, if you like characters that you hate, this is the book for you.
Bailey does a good job of making things feel grim. The characters are all largely unlikeable - but in a good way - and the town of Whispering Ridge feels incredibly claustrophobic.
Ultimately, I landed on three stars. It’s good, but it was a little too heavy and a little too slow for my taste. The “reveal” wasn’t a huge surprise, the most awful character in the book is of course the one responsible. Still, if you like characters that you hate, this is the book for you.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Good book but hard to read because it takes place in a small town where people are racist. ignorant. etc.
This was tough to read. Please check the content warnings before you start, because there are MANY. It’s really hard for me to rate a book like this. This isn’t really a thriller in the traditional sense. It’s more a dysfunctional family and town story. It’s well written, but I really had a hard time with the content.
Thank you to @atriabooks for the gift of the finished copy.
Thank you to @atriabooks for the gift of the finished copy.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry
Where the Truth Lies is Anna Bailey's debut novel, and it is perfect for thriller fans, especially those that like the idea of being creeped out by a tiny town.
Emma can't seem to forgive herself for a mistake she made. To be fair – the rest of the town doesn't seem willing to forgive her either. You see, Emma made the mistake of leaving her friend behind at a party.
It was the last time she saw her friend. Now, Abigail is missing, and Emma will do whatever it takes to get to the Truth of her disappearance, even if that means digging up all of the skeletons hidden deep within her town.
"Abigail Blake turns at the edge of the trees and smiles at Emma. This will be the memory of Abigail that stays with Emma long after the rest has been drunk away."
Where the Truth Lies is every bit the dark mystery, I had been hoping for. It just happened to hit a lot harder than I expected! Which is always a good thing when it comes to a thriller. At least, in my book, it is.
Anna's story feels so painfully believable. Who hasn't wanted to ditch a party early? Or been willing to leave their friends (while said friends were still having fun, of course). Maybe it's the introvert in me, but the beginning of this book felt all too real.
It was a solid foundation for what was to come. Following that introduction, the story quickly begins hopping perspectives, showing all characters all over the town - and their opinion on the matter. While this helped to provide a better idea of what was happening, I'll admit that I would have preferred that we stuck with Anna's perspective.
I honestly don't think we're meant to like most of the townspeople. I didn't, at least. And I don't even feel bad about it! Assuming that was intentional (and again, I think it is), then Anna Bailey did a fantastic job of developing all of her characters here, the good and the bad.
Thanks to Atria Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Emma can't seem to forgive herself for a mistake she made. To be fair – the rest of the town doesn't seem willing to forgive her either. You see, Emma made the mistake of leaving her friend behind at a party.
It was the last time she saw her friend. Now, Abigail is missing, and Emma will do whatever it takes to get to the Truth of her disappearance, even if that means digging up all of the skeletons hidden deep within her town.
"Abigail Blake turns at the edge of the trees and smiles at Emma. This will be the memory of Abigail that stays with Emma long after the rest has been drunk away."
Where the Truth Lies is every bit the dark mystery, I had been hoping for. It just happened to hit a lot harder than I expected! Which is always a good thing when it comes to a thriller. At least, in my book, it is.
Anna's story feels so painfully believable. Who hasn't wanted to ditch a party early? Or been willing to leave their friends (while said friends were still having fun, of course). Maybe it's the introvert in me, but the beginning of this book felt all too real.
It was a solid foundation for what was to come. Following that introduction, the story quickly begins hopping perspectives, showing all characters all over the town - and their opinion on the matter. While this helped to provide a better idea of what was happening, I'll admit that I would have preferred that we stuck with Anna's perspective.
I honestly don't think we're meant to like most of the townspeople. I didn't, at least. And I don't even feel bad about it! Assuming that was intentional (and again, I think it is), then Anna Bailey did a fantastic job of developing all of her characters here, the good and the bad.
Thanks to Atria Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks