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A review by outsmartyourshelf
All I Said Was True by Imran Mahmood
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When emergency services are called to a London office rooftop, they find Amy Blahn laying dead having been stabbed in the chest. Layla Mahoney held Amy as she died, & tells police that a mysterious man named Michael is the one who killed Amy. Evidence points towards Layla being involved & when the police can't find any evidence of Michael's existence, they arrest her. Was Layla telling the truth?
This was the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. It's a slow burn read so if you're looking for fast-paced, nonstop action, then this may not be the book for you. The narrative flips between Layla being interviewed under caution & the start of the all the problems several weeks before when Layla's life is saved by the mysterious Michael & she starts to think that her husband, Russell, is cheating on her. Layla is a difficult main character to like, she's quite cold, makes some strange decisions, & the reader begins to wonder just how truthful she's actually being. Does Michael even exist? I didn't feel the ending had enough 'oomph' to push this to a 5 star read, so I rate this one 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC/Raven Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
This was the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. It's a slow burn read so if you're looking for fast-paced, nonstop action, then this may not be the book for you. The narrative flips between Layla being interviewed under caution & the start of the all the problems several weeks before when Layla's life is saved by the mysterious Michael & she starts to think that her husband, Russell, is cheating on her. Layla is a difficult main character to like, she's quite cold, makes some strange decisions, & the reader begins to wonder just how truthful she's actually being. Does Michael even exist? I didn't feel the ending had enough 'oomph' to push this to a 5 star read, so I rate this one 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC/Raven Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.