A review by ruthypoo2
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is a well-written and constructed story about a con woman whose motivations the reader learns only over the course of the story. I like that the main character, Evie Porter, is an intelligent and cunning woman who, although her livelihood may be unsavory, is admirable as a grounded woman who can think on her feet and is able to cultivate strong relationships.

This is a story where it's known right away that not everything is as it seems, and clues of what's really happening are revealed leisurely as the story unfolds. It seems that all the primary characters have secrets and a lot of them are out to get the other. Although the characters are interesting and fit the story well, I never warmed to any of them so I wasn't as invested in reading the book as much as I would've liked.

All this said, I think this is a good story and has enough reveals to keep the reader turning the pages to find out what comes next or get a better understanding of what the heck is going on!

I listened to the audiobook and feel the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, did an excellent job voicing both the primary and peripheral characters, especially the females.
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