A review by brittanyisbooked
Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey

emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I struggled with wanting to write a review for this at all. This book was a lot. If it had only been a novel about two gay men still trying to find their way in the world in a small town run by God and Jesus, it would have been a lot. But there was also so much more. The many, many, content warnings make this a book that simply not everybody will be able to get through, and that’s a turnoff for me. Additionally, I felt like the book was trying to thread many people together, but the connection fell a bit short. 

In the book, Abigail goes missing and the police department doesn’t seem to be putting in a deep effort, so her best friend Emma starts her own investigation. Emma becomes closer to Abigail’s friends and family throughout the novel, in an effort to solve a mystery the police won’t. The majority of the novel spends time uncovering the secrets of the friends and family, rather than directly solving the mystery behind Abigail’s death. It was a unique approach, but part of me felt like it was too much. Everybody had their own secrets, and none of the secrets intertwined too much. It was a lot to take in , especially since most secrets are linked to content warnings.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings