A review by ivi_reads_books
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

Going into First Lie Wins, I expected a tense cat-and-mouse game—where the mark would slowly uncover the con and turn out to be just as questionable as the protagonist. But the story took a different direction, which, unfortunately, didn’t hold my interest as much. While the premise was intriguing, the shift in focus left me feeling disconnected from the stakes. 

It had potential for a gripping, twisty thriller, but once it veered off the expected path, it lost some of its momentum for me. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with unexpected turns, this might still work for you—but I found myself wishing for a bit more tension and intrigue.