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A review by agigliotti758
The Lies They Tell by Gillian French
4.0
An atmospheric mystery that examines class/wealth distinction through a truly character driven story.
Pearl works at the club that the wealthy summer residents are members of in Tenney’s Harbor and becomes intent on solving the gruesome murders of the Garrison family from six months earlier. Her desire is rooted in the best intentions as the entire town, especially the wealthy, suspect her father, a caretaker for many wealthy properties, who was substituting in for a security guard on the night of their murders and fire.
By catching the interest of a “summer boy” and being brought into their circle, Pearl has access to Tristan Garrison, the only surviving member of the family, whose actions and behavior are unusual and off putting, and for many suspicious.
While, in my opinion, there is no true red herring, evidence is discovered that changes Pearl’s opinion about the family and her new “friends”.
Pearl is a great character that has believable motivations, growth and struggles. She has truly honest relationships in her life from her divorced parents, with her lack of willingness to engage with a mother that she feels never understood her and abandoned her post divorce, to her relationship with her father that she feels incredibly close to and protective of especially after the rumors lead him further into alcoholism.She also has a complicated relationship with Reese, her best (and only) friend, coworker, and crush, who relies on her for things that give her the hope for more but then turns around and becomes more entangled with an on/off girlfriend.
Pearl never changes herself to fit in with the wealthy kids she begins hanging out with nor does she let their opinions of her change her. Her ability to maintain her own personality, even after trying to smooth herself out to be more appealing and lessen the chance of being offensive. While ensconced in the wealthy group she learns to really see through the false veneers and gain a true understanding of the privilege they have.
Pearl works at the club that the wealthy summer residents are members of in Tenney’s Harbor and becomes intent on solving the gruesome murders of the Garrison family from six months earlier. Her desire is rooted in the best intentions as the entire town, especially the wealthy, suspect her father, a caretaker for many wealthy properties, who was substituting in for a security guard on the night of their murders and fire.
By catching the interest of a “summer boy” and being brought into their circle, Pearl has access to Tristan Garrison, the only surviving member of the family, whose actions and behavior are unusual and off putting, and for many suspicious.
While, in my opinion, there is no true red herring, evidence is discovered that changes Pearl’s opinion about the family and her new “friends”.
Pearl is a great character that has believable motivations, growth and struggles. She has truly honest relationships in her life from her divorced parents, with her lack of willingness to engage with a mother that she feels never understood her and abandoned her post divorce, to her relationship with her father that she feels incredibly close to and protective of especially after the rumors lead him further into alcoholism.She also has a complicated relationship with Reese, her best (and only) friend, coworker, and crush, who relies on her for things that give her the hope for more but then turns around and becomes more entangled with an on/off girlfriend.
Pearl never changes herself to fit in with the wealthy kids she begins hanging out with nor does she let their opinions of her change her. Her ability to maintain her own personality, even after trying to smooth herself out to be more appealing and lessen the chance of being offensive. While ensconced in the wealthy group she learns to really see through the false veneers and gain a true understanding of the privilege they have.