by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Two women. Two perspectives. One con. One mission.
Ten years ago the path of these two women crossed with horrific consequences, and now, their paths cross again.

KAT Roberts enjoyed writing from reporting for her high school newspaper to creating fascinating stories, the latter she felt was her calling and earned her a prized spot at a writers conference. However her mother, whose career at the Washington Post was interrupted by motherhood, thought journalism was the only path for her daughter. Now working at the LA Times, she has become somewhat obsessed with an enigmatic young woman, Meg Williams. But, ten years ago, Kat believed Meg was key in uncovering a sexual predator, but a fateful phone call from Ms. Williams sent Kat into a situation that led to an assault and a decade hunting for the woman.

MEG Williams had a difficult time growing up as a result of her mother having trusted the wrong man causing her mother’s downward spiral and culminating with Meg living in her minivan. To survive she learned well the art of “taking advantage,” and discovering she had a talent for a bit of innocent subterfuge, she honed her skills by creating personas to get what she wanted, what she needed. But a fateful swipe on a dating app instigates a plan of action…a plan of revenge. A high school friend up and disappeared their senior year, and Meg set her sights on truth and justice. But, she’s unaware how an innocent phone call meant to point the young reporter in the direction to further the big story would put the reporter in physical peril.

The Lies I Tell Earns 5+/5 Scams…Intense, Engaging Female Empowerment!
Their paths have crossed.

Kat had set up an alert to inform her whenever Meg Williams popped up in public, and after ten years, it notified her Meg had returned to Los Angeles and would be attending a fundraising event for Ron Ashton, a candidate for state senator. Kat receives an invite as a member of the press, and sets out to put into action a way to expose the woman who she blames for her attack. Will the truth of Meg’s appearance change Kat’s motivations?

Meg, however, has spent the last ten years honing her skills as a grifter, a good one. She’d been a variety of women with a variety of occupations taking advantage of the gullible, the greedy, all in order to create a comfortable lifestyle. During that time, she also planned and prepared an elaborate sting with a new target: the man who ruined her mother’s and her life, the man whose own greed has effected others, the man who needs a dose of his own medicine…candidate Ron Ashton. Will Meg succeed in her plan for revenge or has her time run out?

Brilliant! Julie Clark has taken two strong women, each with their painful struggles, and put them on an exciting collision course. The book is divided into sections related to present events and flashbacks with alternating first-person narratives by each of the women: it is clever and easy to follow. The introduction in the present sets the stage, the flashback of ten years earlier provides the incidents and motivations for the plans each woman makes, and more of the present reveals truth, justice, and a way forward for both Kat and Meg. None of this, however, comes easy or absent of missteps or peril; there is a cost, but the journey is engaging and one I couldn’t put down. Clark’s writing style is entertaining, descriptive with a realistic banter to support the complex and compelling drama as well as serve to illustrate a diverse set of personalities. This third book in Clark’s work is definitely a major contender for my Top Reads in 2022!

Be a Big Fan of Julie Clark!
Julie Clark is the New York Times bestselling author with two well-received novels: The Last Flight and The Ones We Choose, which has been optioned for television by Lionsgate.

Facebook: Julie Clark Books
Website: Julie Clark, Author

To enter to win a copy of The Lies I Tell A Novel, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “lies,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 16, 2022. US only, and must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book from Amazon or click here. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.