The Lying Club by Annie Ward is a thriller that draws the reader in via clever connections and red herrings before gut punching with a heck of a twist.
But first, the author starts with a prologue that sets the tone right from the start. It also lets the reader know that Natalie is an unreliable narrator. The question then becomes whether she is naturally so, or if there are reasons for it.
Just another layer of the mystery that unfolds.
The other two narrators, Asha and Brooke, are slightly more reliable But, they have their own issues as well. So, the reader is never sure if the women are putting their own spin on events or if the reactions are legitimate.
One thing I really liked about this author’s writing style was that the chapters from the various women’s points of view reflect their personalities.
Natalie’s are hazy and wander. Asha’s are scattered and a bit frantic. And Brooke’s are sharp, in focus, and get to the point.
To be honest, I didn’t entirely get that as I was actually reading the story. I did notice that the book held my interest and felt fresh throughout. In writing this review, I realized the chapters may have something to do with that.
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The plot itself unfolds in an interesting manner. We know there is an incident in the beginning, and then the author goes back in time to the events leading up to the event before moving forward from it.
That’s all I want to say about it because I don’t want to give details away. Suffice to say that characters who may seem superfluous probably aren’t and you need to pay attention to relationships.
For example, even if Natalie can’t make a connection, you should be able to.
I will also say that the author did a fantastic job with a sensitive subject while illustrating that true monsters are among us in our everyday lives.
I had a hard time putting The Lying Club down. It is certainly a great thriller, and I highly recommend it.
Twitter: @_annie_ward
Facebook: @anniewardbooks
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Annie Ward is the author of Beautiful Bad. She has a BA in English literature from UCLA and an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute. Her first short screenplay, Strange Habit, starring Adam Scott, was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award winner at the Aspen Film Festival. She has received a Fulbright scholarship and an Escape to Create artist residency. She lives in Kansas with her family.
