It all started with one little lie ...
Jane and Marnie have been inseparable since they were eleven years old. They have a lot in common. In their early twenties they both fell in love and married handsome young men.But Jane never liked Marnie's husband. He was always so loud and obnoxious, so much larger than life. Which is rather ironic now, of course.Because if Jane had been honest - if she hadn't lied - then perhaps her best friend's husband might still be alive . . .This is Jane's opportunity to tell the truth, the question is:
Do you believe her?
Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay was published by Sphere Books / Little Brown on 16 April 2020. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
When my copy of Seven Lies arrived, I took one glance at the blurb and knew straight away that this was a book for me. I didn't go into this with any preconceptions of what it would be, I haven't read the reviews, I wasn't sure just what I was going to uncover, there's no mention of 'thriller' on the proof copy, although recent marketing calls it 'the addictive debut thriller that is chilling readers to the core.'
Seven Lies is Jane's story; told in her own voice, in one long, often rambling monologue. Jane is intellectually intelligent, whilst being emotionally lacking. She is cold and calculating, she is manipulative. She is also vulnerable, frightened and has no positive feelings about herself whatsoever. For me, Jane is the perfect narrator; the reader is never sure who her dialogue is aimed at, or how much of it is the actual truth, or Jane's own truth. It is chilling yet utterly compelling and I raced through this breathtaking story in two days.
Jane and Marnie have been friends since their first day at secondary school. As different as chalk and cheese, but as close as twins, their friendship has been the one thing that hasn't changed, until recently.
Both Jane and Marnie found love and happiness, but remained close friends. When tragedy struck Jane, she became ever more dependent on their friendship, until Marnie herself found Charles.
Handsome, successful, domineering Charles; the love of Marnie's life; the absolute bane of Jane's.
As Jane relates what happened to Charles, and how she helped Marnie to get through, the reader realises that Jane's truth, although real, is twisted and contorted. She's clever with her words, she lets the reader know about the terrible life burdens that she's had to bear; the beloved father who walked out, the younger sister who took all of their mother's love. The mother who didn't show love to her, but who she visits religiously every Saturday; sitting by her bed in the care home, not knowing from one week to the next if she will be recognised. This play for sympathy is calculated and clever and Jane knows exactly how to spin her tale to her own advantage.
Seven Lies is a totally absorbing read, this author is incredibly talented, and her style is perfect for my tastes. Whilst there is most definitely a thriller element to the story, I found this to be more of an indepth and convincing look at relationships; especially female friendship and how utterly consuming these can become.
Sharp and addictive, I am very impressed by this story, and this author. Very very clever.
Elizabeth Kay started her career as an assistant at Penguin Random House.
She is now a commissioning editor and is simultaneously pursuing her passion for writing.
She lives in London with her husband.
www.elizabethkaybooks.co.uk
Instagram @anyotherlizzy
Twitter @AnyOtherLizzy
No comments:
Post a Comment