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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Started off really well and I immediately got engrossed in the story. However, after about halfway through, there were just so many characters and entwining stories we learned about, I lost a lot of interest and had to power the rest of the way through. Wasn’t a bad read, but just had too many intermingled stories between characters for me to really get in and stay in the story.
Very twisty, turns, but I had the feeling I didn’t really want to find out what happened.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Minor: Incest, Rape
Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey is another example of a book with a great concept and writing that was beautiful and haunting at points, but had a flawed execution. The slow-burn pace worked for me but what didn't work was the constant back and forth between Now and Then. The time jumps were so frequent that it made the story convoluted and disconnected. Some of the characters were so extreme that they became caricatures. And while I don't have a problem with multiple trigger warnings in one story, it felt like the author added points to the plot that only had the intention of creating shock value and not actually driving the plot forward.
I can see that the author has potential and an ability of creating suspense but for me, this was a shaky debut. I would definitely read what the author writes next, because I think the author has the talent to craft a compelling story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars.
I can see that the author has potential and an ability of creating suspense but for me, this was a shaky debut. I would definitely read what the author writes next, because I think the author has the talent to craft a compelling story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars.
3.5/5
[b:Where the Truth Lies|55711678|Where the Truth Lies|Anna Bailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625673674l/55711678._SY75_.jpg|75502422] by [a:Anna Bailey|21085406|Anna Bailey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621926990p2/21085406.jpg] has a gorgeous cover and honestly, that is part of the reason I was drawn to it. Also, who doesn't love a family drama set in a small town where everyone has secrets? I loved the setting of Colorado and was familiar with some of the places mentioned in the book which was really cool, and it made for a really compelling read. However, this shit is DEPRESSING. Most of the adults are truly awful people and there is a lot of hate, racism, and abuse packed into these 384-odd pages. It is definitely a slow burn as the synopsis suggests, and that was really fitting for the plot. I can't really imagine it as a fast-paced thriller, and you really get to know the characters as it is very character-driven as well. Even though there are secrets and the mystery surrounding Abigail, this definitely gave off more of a literary fiction vibe.
I really enjoyed Where the Truth Lies on audiobook and it is narrated by Natalie Simpson, who I haven't listened to before. She did such a fantastic job with all of the characters including any accents, and she really helped set the scene for the story. Listening to the audiobook helped keep me more engaged as well and is the right way to go for this slow-burning mystery. It was a really hard read for me, but I liked how it ended and there are definitely a couple of jaw-dropping moments. One thing that threw me off was the very nonlinear jumps in time. It started to get confusing for me and sometimes I wasn't sure what time period I was in which took away from the book quite a bit for me. I believe this is a debut though, so I will let it slide, and I would definitely be interested in reading more from Bailey!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
[b:Where the Truth Lies|55711678|Where the Truth Lies|Anna Bailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625673674l/55711678._SY75_.jpg|75502422] by [a:Anna Bailey|21085406|Anna Bailey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621926990p2/21085406.jpg] has a gorgeous cover and honestly, that is part of the reason I was drawn to it. Also, who doesn't love a family drama set in a small town where everyone has secrets? I loved the setting of Colorado and was familiar with some of the places mentioned in the book which was really cool, and it made for a really compelling read. However, this shit is DEPRESSING. Most of the adults are truly awful people and there is a lot of hate, racism, and abuse packed into these 384-odd pages. It is definitely a slow burn as the synopsis suggests, and that was really fitting for the plot. I can't really imagine it as a fast-paced thriller, and you really get to know the characters as it is very character-driven as well. Even though there are secrets and the mystery surrounding Abigail, this definitely gave off more of a literary fiction vibe.
I really enjoyed Where the Truth Lies on audiobook and it is narrated by Natalie Simpson, who I haven't listened to before. She did such a fantastic job with all of the characters including any accents, and she really helped set the scene for the story. Listening to the audiobook helped keep me more engaged as well and is the right way to go for this slow-burning mystery. It was a really hard read for me, but I liked how it ended and there are definitely a couple of jaw-dropping moments. One thing that threw me off was the very nonlinear jumps in time. It started to get confusing for me and sometimes I wasn't sure what time period I was in which took away from the book quite a bit for me. I believe this is a debut though, so I will let it slide, and I would definitely be interested in reading more from Bailey!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I did not enjoy this book at all. There were too many characters to keep track of. None of the characters were likable. The book is full of racism, homophobia, abuse of all kinds, misogyny and people who use religion as an excuse to be terrible human beings.
The now and then timelines were confusing because when reading the past sections it wasn't supper clear how far back we were going. Sometimes it was just a few weeks and others a few years.
After I got about 1/3 of the way in, I just wanted it to be over. If this hadn't been an advanced readers copy I would have not finished it.
Book out August 3rd, 2021.
The now and then timelines were confusing because when reading the past sections it wasn't supper clear how far back we were going. Sometimes it was just a few weeks and others a few years.
After I got about 1/3 of the way in, I just wanted it to be over. If this hadn't been an advanced readers copy I would have not finished it.
Book out August 3rd, 2021.
Where the Truth Lies takes place in the small town of Whistling Ridge. And when I say small town I mean small town. Every stereotype of people who live in a small town is prevalent in this book.
Seventeen-year-old Abigail goes missing and her best friend Emma feels guilty for leaving her and is determined to find out the truth. But, because of where Abigail grew up, the police just believe that she ran away and don’t really do anything.
This book brought up a lot of emotions. It is full of people who are racist, homophobic, abusers, misogynists, and all hiding behind the idea that their religion justifies everything they do. It was a tough read at first, but by the time I got to the point where I wanted to put the book down, I was also invested in some of the characters and wanted to find out what happened.
I think the book had about as good of an ending for all of the characters as I could have expected.
I was very impressed by this debut author overall, andI know this book will stick with me. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Seventeen-year-old Abigail goes missing and her best friend Emma feels guilty for leaving her and is determined to find out the truth. But, because of where Abigail grew up, the police just believe that she ran away and don’t really do anything.
This book brought up a lot of emotions. It is full of people who are racist, homophobic, abusers, misogynists, and all hiding behind the idea that their religion justifies everything they do. It was a tough read at first, but by the time I got to the point where I wanted to put the book down, I was also invested in some of the characters and wanted to find out what happened.
I think the book had about as good of an ending for all of the characters as I could have expected.
I was very impressed by this debut author overall, andI know this book will stick with me. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey is a recommended murder mystery set in an insular small Colorado town. Considering I love a good thriller this was just up my alley. I have somehow fallen a rabbit hole that is mysteries this year that will continue into 2022. I think because my best friend loves anything to do with a crime that I enjoy these even more.
Emma's best friend Abigail is missing after a party held in the woods outside the small Colorado town of Whistling Ridge. The last time she saw her friend, Abi was going to meet a boy in the woods... and then she disappeared. She does not believe Abi ran away without telling her first, but when evidence is discovered that something happened to her friend, Emma sets out to uncover the truth. The trouble is that this is a town full of secrets and prejudices that everyone is hiding and violence always seems just behind every turn.
The plot moves along at a swift pace and the tension keeps you reading. I felt that every word had its place on the page making it a joy to read.
Emma's best friend Abigail is missing after a party held in the woods outside the small Colorado town of Whistling Ridge. The last time she saw her friend, Abi was going to meet a boy in the woods... and then she disappeared. She does not believe Abi ran away without telling her first, but when evidence is discovered that something happened to her friend, Emma sets out to uncover the truth. The trouble is that this is a town full of secrets and prejudices that everyone is hiding and violence always seems just behind every turn.
The plot moves along at a swift pace and the tension keeps you reading. I felt that every word had its place on the page making it a joy to read.