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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could, it was nearly there but some parts were just lacking something. The story was intriguing but you could guess who was behind everything from fairly early in the book. Still a good quick read though!
I have been making my way through C.L Taylor’s books after seeing so many of them around. I thought it was time to get around to them. I’m pleased I have because I’ve found another brilliant writer of thrillers! Whilst The Lie isn’t my favourite book by C.L Taylor, it still didn’t take me long to read. It still made my skin crawl a little bit which I’m coming to expect from a C.L Taylor book!
The Lie centres around a character we believe is called Jane. We find out that ‘Jane’ is her new identity. Five years previously, Jane was Emma and she went to Nepal with her friends to cheer up one of her friends. It was definitely not a relaxing holiday and Emma returned needing to change her name. We know from the start that something bad happened to the girls, but the terrible details start to unfold slowly as you read her story. ‘Jane’ feels like she’s moving on with her life with a job she loves and a relationship that’s developing nicely. However, she soon finds out that someone knows about the past and is going to make sure that she can’t forget it!
I thought The Lie was an incredibly dark read with some awful characters. Awful characters that I loved to read about though. I loved how the story unfolded through flashbacks of 5 years ago and present time. It added to the tension of the story. I have to admit that most of the chapters set in Nepal really were menacing. I found them tricky to read at some points, especially when they were becoming increasingly more violent. It became so tense and the cracks in the friendships really started to show. That’s when I began to dislike characters more and more, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
I was also intrigued by Emma/Jane’s present day story. I always try and work out who is behind everything during these sorts of stories, but I didn’t quite get there, although I began to have some suspicions. Once again, C.L Taylor does weave a wonderful plot.
I think you’ll enjoy this thriller if you enjoy intense, menacing and uncomfortable thrillers!
The Lie centres around a character we believe is called Jane. We find out that ‘Jane’ is her new identity. Five years previously, Jane was Emma and she went to Nepal with her friends to cheer up one of her friends. It was definitely not a relaxing holiday and Emma returned needing to change her name. We know from the start that something bad happened to the girls, but the terrible details start to unfold slowly as you read her story. ‘Jane’ feels like she’s moving on with her life with a job she loves and a relationship that’s developing nicely. However, she soon finds out that someone knows about the past and is going to make sure that she can’t forget it!
I thought The Lie was an incredibly dark read with some awful characters. Awful characters that I loved to read about though. I loved how the story unfolded through flashbacks of 5 years ago and present time. It added to the tension of the story. I have to admit that most of the chapters set in Nepal really were menacing. I found them tricky to read at some points, especially when they were becoming increasingly more violent. It became so tense and the cracks in the friendships really started to show. That’s when I began to dislike characters more and more, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
I was also intrigued by Emma/Jane’s present day story. I always try and work out who is behind everything during these sorts of stories, but I didn’t quite get there, although I began to have some suspicions. Once again, C.L Taylor does weave a wonderful plot.
I think you’ll enjoy this thriller if you enjoy intense, menacing and uncomfortable thrillers!
What could be more relaxing that a girlie trip away with friends to a retreat up high on a mountain in Nepal? Well, anything as it turns out…as things soon descend into a nightmare…can you really trust your friends? And just what is this place?
Story in a nutshell
I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes . . .
Jane Hughes has a loving partner, a job in an animal sanctuary and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She’s happier than she’s ever been but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.
Five years earlier Jane goes on holiday with friends on what should have been the trip of a lifetime but it was a trip that rapidly descended into a nightmare claiming the lives of two of them.
So who is Jane Hughes really and who is now not only looking for her but looking to destroy her?
From Newcastle to Nepal, this is the story of four friends who meet in the northern city at the university there and keep in touch as they move to London for work. All stuck in jobs they don’t seem to like very much, they cling on to their friendship and even start planning a holiday to get away from it all.
Nepal is the destination of choice – and a retreat in Nepal – Ekanta yatra – seems to be the ideal place to forget about things for a while. But its here that only two return..
At first Nepal sounds ideal –
There’s an amazing retreat in the mountains called Ekanta Yatra. My yoga teacher told me all about it”
We could spend a day in Kathmandu then do two weeks at the retreat, then we could fly to a place called Chitwan and go on a jungle safari. It would be the adventure of a lifetime”
However, the account of what happens in Nepal is pretty graphic and horrific and so vividly described, that there are images and sights and smells that will stay with you for a long time to come.
The holiday descends into madness and horror for what is on that mountain and what happens on that mountain – no one can really be sure. but the desire to escape is the one which drives them. The isolation, the mountain ranges with hard to access paths, the retreat and the steep climb, the cabins in the woods, it would seem as if once you’re there, there really is no easy way to leave…
At the top of a mountain in the middle of Nepal, no one can hear you scream..
Many years later and the two survivors are no longer in touch with each other. One now works in Wales, at a sanctuary for animals which seems as much as one for them as it is for her. Green Fields is a tranquil place about to become a lot less so –
“I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes . . .”
Well now Ms Taylor, I think there should be a warning on your books as I’ve barely slept a wink after reading this! Yes it’s that good with the thrills and the spills that I m still thinking about it now. The four friends, the lies, time passing, people pretending and living a ‘normal’ life until that crashes around them, and a holiday that turned to disaster – the stories and characters are woven with such skill that I wanted to know them and wanted to escape them all at once.
The holiday in Nepal was reminiscent of The Beach – a secret paradise and a time that no one would forget. well, be careful what you wish for as this side of Nepal was shocking and chilling. Its effects echo throughout the book and provide the ideal contrast to small unassuming Wales and the next part of the story.
Although a rollercoaster of a ride is somewhat of a cliche – this does describe this book for all its shocks and surprises. Congratulations to the author who's done it again and made this reader very excited about what she produces next!
Story in a nutshell
I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes . . .
Jane Hughes has a loving partner, a job in an animal sanctuary and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She’s happier than she’s ever been but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.
Five years earlier Jane goes on holiday with friends on what should have been the trip of a lifetime but it was a trip that rapidly descended into a nightmare claiming the lives of two of them.
So who is Jane Hughes really and who is now not only looking for her but looking to destroy her?
From Newcastle to Nepal, this is the story of four friends who meet in the northern city at the university there and keep in touch as they move to London for work. All stuck in jobs they don’t seem to like very much, they cling on to their friendship and even start planning a holiday to get away from it all.
Nepal is the destination of choice – and a retreat in Nepal – Ekanta yatra – seems to be the ideal place to forget about things for a while. But its here that only two return..
At first Nepal sounds ideal –
There’s an amazing retreat in the mountains called Ekanta Yatra. My yoga teacher told me all about it”
We could spend a day in Kathmandu then do two weeks at the retreat, then we could fly to a place called Chitwan and go on a jungle safari. It would be the adventure of a lifetime”
However, the account of what happens in Nepal is pretty graphic and horrific and so vividly described, that there are images and sights and smells that will stay with you for a long time to come.
The holiday descends into madness and horror for what is on that mountain and what happens on that mountain – no one can really be sure. but the desire to escape is the one which drives them. The isolation, the mountain ranges with hard to access paths, the retreat and the steep climb, the cabins in the woods, it would seem as if once you’re there, there really is no easy way to leave…
At the top of a mountain in the middle of Nepal, no one can hear you scream..
Many years later and the two survivors are no longer in touch with each other. One now works in Wales, at a sanctuary for animals which seems as much as one for them as it is for her. Green Fields is a tranquil place about to become a lot less so –
“I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes . . .”
Well now Ms Taylor, I think there should be a warning on your books as I’ve barely slept a wink after reading this! Yes it’s that good with the thrills and the spills that I m still thinking about it now. The four friends, the lies, time passing, people pretending and living a ‘normal’ life until that crashes around them, and a holiday that turned to disaster – the stories and characters are woven with such skill that I wanted to know them and wanted to escape them all at once.
The holiday in Nepal was reminiscent of The Beach – a secret paradise and a time that no one would forget. well, be careful what you wish for as this side of Nepal was shocking and chilling. Its effects echo throughout the book and provide the ideal contrast to small unassuming Wales and the next part of the story.
Although a rollercoaster of a ride is somewhat of a cliche – this does describe this book for all its shocks and surprises. Congratulations to the author who's done it again and made this reader very excited about what she produces next!
A great read which leaves you wanting to find out more at the end of each chapter, just as you think you know what will happen next an unexpected twist will pop up.
The Book starts with Jane Hughes working at an animal sanctuary but when a note arrives for her which reads "I know you name's not really Jane Hughes" it forces her to remember the events of five years ago. Five years ago after the breakup of Al's relationship, three of her friends Emma, Daisy & Leanne decided to take her away on holiday to get over it. Leanne decided they should go to a retreat in Nepal for a couple of weeks followed by a week’s trekking, but what happened there tested their friendship to the limits.
Jane was one of those friends which one you will have to read the book to find out but the events of the holiday were so traumatic it made her start her life again under another name.
I read this book in 5 days as I found I could not put it down, always wanting to find out more which in my mind is a sign of a really enjoyable read
The Book starts with Jane Hughes working at an animal sanctuary but when a note arrives for her which reads "I know you name's not really Jane Hughes" it forces her to remember the events of five years ago. Five years ago after the breakup of Al's relationship, three of her friends Emma, Daisy & Leanne decided to take her away on holiday to get over it. Leanne decided they should go to a retreat in Nepal for a couple of weeks followed by a week’s trekking, but what happened there tested their friendship to the limits.
Jane was one of those friends which one you will have to read the book to find out but the events of the holiday were so traumatic it made her start her life again under another name.
I read this book in 5 days as I found I could not put it down, always wanting to find out more which in my mind is a sign of a really enjoyable read
exciting thriller which had lots of twists and turns as we follow Emma as she tries to rebuild her life after the 'holiday of a lifetime'. Good use of flashbacks alongside the present day to keep tension high to the end.
Nice easy read! Enjoyable and a few surprises!
Be warned - if you're planning on reading this book, make sure you've got lots of spare time as you won't be able to put it down!
This is a really gripping read that keeps you hungry for more - a must read for any thriller fans.
This is a really gripping read that keeps you hungry for more - a must read for any thriller fans.
The Lie by C.L. Taylor has been on my TBR shelf for over a year. I was given an ARC copy before the book came out and unfortunately it got lost in the pile. However when I found it I knew I wanted to read it as soon as I could. I wound up purchasing an Audible copy as well and alternated listening and reading so I didn’t have to sit down the book for very long.
The story follows Jane Hughes as her tragic past catches up to the life she’s created for herself. You see Jane isn’t who you think she is. When we first meet Jane, she is working at an animal shelter in a small, country town, dating a single dad, and admittedly seems happy. I liked Jane and truly I felt sorry for her. She harbored a lot of guilt for her past and it seems she’s carried it with her. She lives in fear as well, wondering what would happen if someone learned her secrets.
As much as I liked Jane though, the story was hard to follow at times. It shifted from present to past (which occurred 5 years earlier) every few chapters. In the past, Jane and her friends are going on a three week vacation but one of the friends gets them stuck in a sexual/off-the-beaten path cult. This part of the story was intriguing but moved slowly. It was predictable and barely held my attention. It honestly could have been told in a couple of chapters or a really long prologue.
The present part of the story was much more interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. Jane starts receiving vague, threatening, anonymous messages claiming the sender knows who she is and what she’s done. So the story revolves around this big mystery of what did Jane do and who is threatening her. I’ll admit I was captivated, but the slow chapters in the past combined with the fast-paced present was distracting. Then the climax of the story was sadly underwhelming.
Overall while I enjoyed parts and slugged my way through the others, The Lie was just an okay read for me. Despite liking Jane and the suspense of who was threatening her, her past exploits while scary held no appeal to me. I wasn’t connected to that part of the story at all. Once her past was fully revealed, the ending became too predictable and I found myself rolling my eyes. I did like the way the author can show how quickly friendships can unravel in a situation as described in the book. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I’d recommend giving it a read.
The story follows Jane Hughes as her tragic past catches up to the life she’s created for herself. You see Jane isn’t who you think she is. When we first meet Jane, she is working at an animal shelter in a small, country town, dating a single dad, and admittedly seems happy. I liked Jane and truly I felt sorry for her. She harbored a lot of guilt for her past and it seems she’s carried it with her. She lives in fear as well, wondering what would happen if someone learned her secrets.
As much as I liked Jane though, the story was hard to follow at times. It shifted from present to past (which occurred 5 years earlier) every few chapters. In the past, Jane and her friends are going on a three week vacation but one of the friends gets them stuck in a sexual/off-the-beaten path cult. This part of the story was intriguing but moved slowly. It was predictable and barely held my attention. It honestly could have been told in a couple of chapters or a really long prologue.
The present part of the story was much more interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. Jane starts receiving vague, threatening, anonymous messages claiming the sender knows who she is and what she’s done. So the story revolves around this big mystery of what did Jane do and who is threatening her. I’ll admit I was captivated, but the slow chapters in the past combined with the fast-paced present was distracting. Then the climax of the story was sadly underwhelming.
Overall while I enjoyed parts and slugged my way through the others, The Lie was just an okay read for me. Despite liking Jane and the suspense of who was threatening her, her past exploits while scary held no appeal to me. I wasn’t connected to that part of the story at all. Once her past was fully revealed, the ending became too predictable and I found myself rolling my eyes. I did like the way the author can show how quickly friendships can unravel in a situation as described in the book. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I’d recommend giving it a read.
Really gripping, i read this while travelling with some friends so totally freaked me out!
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes