Sheri's Reviews > The Lie

Kathryn Croft has written quite a lot of books in this genre, but I think I've only read one, a few years ago now, and I can't really remember it. Anyway, this looked like your standard psychological/domestic thriller. The cover centring a back view of a woman in a brightly coloured garment. The "The [Noun]" title ("The Lie" has to be one of the least imaginative titles ever).

Sixteen year old Rose has disappeared, apparently into thin air, after a barbecue at her boyfriend Jacob's house. We see subsequent events from the perspectives of Jacob's mother Lucy and Rose's mother Carrie, with a bit of flashback from Rose herself. (It's very obvious from early in Rose's narrative what has been going on with her prior to her disappearance - a big reveal late in the book is no surprise at all.)

This was an okay read - it never really gripped me. I struggled to engage with the characters and the plot dragged a bit.

I'm also - as the mother of a sixteen year old - not convinced that the behaviour of these teenagers rings true.

The book has had some great reviews so clearly many people really enjoyed it, but unfortunately it didn't hit the spot for me on this occasion.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!