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Lies He Told Me
An attorney and mother of two discovers her husband’s secret life—and it might cost them all their lives.
Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers.
David owns the local pub.
Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.
For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.
A wife knows the difference between a loving husband and father and a cold-blooded assassin. Right?
Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers.
David owns the local pub.
Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.
For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.
A wife knows the difference between a loving husband and father and a cold-blooded assassin. Right?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2024
About the author
James Patterson
1,172 books349k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 854 reviews
June 14, 2024
Wow! Once started, this book was unputdownable!
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a James Patterson book. There was a time I devoured every one of his books on the market! And that was no easy feat! They were coming at me faster than I could read! So I stepped away for a bit.
But after seeing this latest stand-alone with David Ellis co-writing I knew this was the perfect opportunity to jump back into the world of JP!
And it did not disappoint!
David and Marcie are living a quiet life with their two children in Marcie’s quaint hometown. David makes a decent living running a popular bar and Marcie has established a successful family law practice. But lately, odd things are starting to happen. A coffee pot in the drier, a BBQ ignited and bursting into flames in the middle of the night, just to name a few.
So who would have any reason to cause such havoc with this suburban family?
This book has it all! Blistering action from start to finish! Short chapters to keep you glued to the pages and convincing yourself “I swear, just one more…then I’ll go to bed.” Ha! Good luck with that!
And don’t plan on getting comfortable, because our two authors have thrown in a doozy (more than one actually) of a twist!
Looking for that fast, non-stop thrilling read? You’re search ends here…. This is the book for you!
⚠️ Go in blind for best thrilling experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a James Patterson book. There was a time I devoured every one of his books on the market! And that was no easy feat! They were coming at me faster than I could read! So I stepped away for a bit.
But after seeing this latest stand-alone with David Ellis co-writing I knew this was the perfect opportunity to jump back into the world of JP!
And it did not disappoint!
David and Marcie are living a quiet life with their two children in Marcie’s quaint hometown. David makes a decent living running a popular bar and Marcie has established a successful family law practice. But lately, odd things are starting to happen. A coffee pot in the drier, a BBQ ignited and bursting into flames in the middle of the night, just to name a few.
So who would have any reason to cause such havoc with this suburban family?
This book has it all! Blistering action from start to finish! Short chapters to keep you glued to the pages and convincing yourself “I swear, just one more…then I’ll go to bed.” Ha! Good luck with that!
And don’t plan on getting comfortable, because our two authors have thrown in a doozy (more than one actually) of a twist!
Looking for that fast, non-stop thrilling read? You’re search ends here…. This is the book for you!
⚠️ Go in blind for best thrilling experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.
August 13, 2024
Quite the ride!! 😮 A twisty page-turner with so many surprises.
I was hooked after a few chapters and things continued to build and kept me wanting "one more chapter". I was invested in this couple and kept changing my view of what was up!!
David Ellis (a favorite) co-authors this one with James Patterson and it was a win, win for me!
There is an intriguing puzzle that is laid out early, so many questions and twists that had me smiling and thinking about how clever Mr. Ellis can be! I had to "buckle-up" several times.
Anyway, I loved this house of cards and the way things unfolded.
Thanks to NG for the ARC and this one publishes September 30, 2024
I was hooked after a few chapters and things continued to build and kept me wanting "one more chapter". I was invested in this couple and kept changing my view of what was up!!
David Ellis (a favorite) co-authors this one with James Patterson and it was a win, win for me!
There is an intriguing puzzle that is laid out early, so many questions and twists that had me smiling and thinking about how clever Mr. Ellis can be! I had to "buckle-up" several times.
Anyway, I loved this house of cards and the way things unfolded.
Thanks to NG for the ARC and this one publishes September 30, 2024
October 16, 2024
2.5 stars— Once again I don’t agree with the masses regarding my opinion of a book. “Lies He Told Me”has gotten rave reviews from just about everyone who has read it … except me. There were so many things that bugged me about the book, from beginning to end, that I was unable to ever get invested in either the story or the characters. The book is told primarily from the perspective of Marcie who is living the perfect life (aka the calm before the storm) with her perfect husband David and two kids. The book somehow develops into a full blown mob style thriller with dirty cops, killer enforcers for the mob, missing millions and fake identities that even Marcie is unaware of until she and David’s lives are placed in extreme danger.
First, I have to admit —other than “The Godfather” movies, I haven’t liked many fictional portrayals of the mob or mobsters. Most of the time they are portrayed as dumb stereotypes who are just about always outsmarted by even the most unsophisticated, dweeby characters. This book is no exception with the so called enforcer for the mob (who is supposedly a ruthless killer) making the type of mistakes a 1st time criminal would make instead of a trained assassin.
Second, the implausibilities in this book piled up to the point I couldn’t even read it without muttering to myself about the ridiculousness of it all. An attorney who represents a client who is in jail who has never seen him throughout her entire representation or even seen a mugshot of him. 🥴 A person on the run who has had multiple plastic surgeries to make himself unidentifiable but a picture and video of him rescuing someone has suddenly alerted the mob to his presence by his appearance alone.🥴 A one on one ‘handler’ living in the same town and in regular day to day contact with a person in the witness protection program 15 years after the event which placed him in the program. 🥴A man dying being kept from emergency life or death surgery multiple times so that the wife can visit and the police can collect evidence before he is whisked away for surgery — then he dies …can you say lawsuit. 🥴. I will stop here (just when I was getting warmed up) in fear of my review being longer than the book.
I definitely wanted to love this book, but just like a bad Freida McFadden or Riley Sager book, the more implausibilities I found, the more I regretted reading it. This one wasn’t for me (but since 99% of the other people who read it loved it) I’m just going to confess to not liking mobster thrillers and move on to my next read. Sorry I was so lengthy in my diatribe.
First, I have to admit —other than “The Godfather” movies, I haven’t liked many fictional portrayals of the mob or mobsters. Most of the time they are portrayed as dumb stereotypes who are just about always outsmarted by even the most unsophisticated, dweeby characters. This book is no exception with the so called enforcer for the mob (who is supposedly a ruthless killer) making the type of mistakes a 1st time criminal would make instead of a trained assassin.
Second, the implausibilities in this book piled up to the point I couldn’t even read it without muttering to myself about the ridiculousness of it all. An attorney who represents a client who is in jail who has never seen him throughout her entire representation or even seen a mugshot of him. 🥴 A person on the run who has had multiple plastic surgeries to make himself unidentifiable but a picture and video of him rescuing someone has suddenly alerted the mob to his presence by his appearance alone.🥴 A one on one ‘handler’ living in the same town and in regular day to day contact with a person in the witness protection program 15 years after the event which placed him in the program. 🥴A man dying being kept from emergency life or death surgery multiple times so that the wife can visit and the police can collect evidence before he is whisked away for surgery — then he dies …can you say lawsuit. 🥴. I will stop here (just when I was getting warmed up) in fear of my review being longer than the book.
I definitely wanted to love this book, but just like a bad Freida McFadden or Riley Sager book, the more implausibilities I found, the more I regretted reading it. This one wasn’t for me (but since 99% of the other people who read it loved it) I’m just going to confess to not liking mobster thrillers and move on to my next read. Sorry I was so lengthy in my diatribe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2024
Coauthors James Patterson and David Ellies make a powerhouse team.
Marcie Bowers has reached a point in her life where she is finally reaping the rewards of all of her hard work. She is a successful lawyer, mother of two amazing children and married to David, her intelligent, gorgeous and devoted husband. David is also a hardworking owner of an extremely popular and successful pub/restaurant.
In celebration of David's birthday, they are excited to be visiting the spot where they first met. Both are feeling rather nostalgic as the reminisce about all the good times and the path which led them to where they are today.
If only...
The two of them were not there to witness the car as it careened off the bridge and plunged into the frigid waters below.
If only...
David didn't have to act heroically and dive into the depths below to rescue the person.
If only...
The looky-loos videotaping on their phones, and the news media wasn't there to catch David on film from every angle as he selflessly kept the unconscious person afloat while waiting for rescuers.
If only?
Then Marcie would never have had to learn all the lies he told her - and their deadly serious consequences.
Lies He Told Me is an unputdownable read brimming with a whirlwind of deceit, thrills and chills. The twists are unrelenting and they do not stop right up until the very last page.
With sincere thanks to goodreads giveaways and Little, Brown and Co. for the advanced reading copy.
Marcie Bowers has reached a point in her life where she is finally reaping the rewards of all of her hard work. She is a successful lawyer, mother of two amazing children and married to David, her intelligent, gorgeous and devoted husband. David is also a hardworking owner of an extremely popular and successful pub/restaurant.
In celebration of David's birthday, they are excited to be visiting the spot where they first met. Both are feeling rather nostalgic as the reminisce about all the good times and the path which led them to where they are today.
If only...
The two of them were not there to witness the car as it careened off the bridge and plunged into the frigid waters below.
If only...
David didn't have to act heroically and dive into the depths below to rescue the person.
If only...
The looky-loos videotaping on their phones, and the news media wasn't there to catch David on film from every angle as he selflessly kept the unconscious person afloat while waiting for rescuers.
If only?
Then Marcie would never have had to learn all the lies he told her - and their deadly serious consequences.
Lies He Told Me is an unputdownable read brimming with a whirlwind of deceit, thrills and chills. The twists are unrelenting and they do not stop right up until the very last page.
With sincere thanks to goodreads giveaways and Little, Brown and Co. for the advanced reading copy.
October 22, 2024
Please please please don’t read the publisher provided synopsis for this one. With it, you’ll miss out on some truly stunning twists. Just know that it’s about a (mostly) selfless man who jumps into a river to rescue someone. From there his well-built life dissolves when lie after lie is discovered by his adoring wife. That’s all you need to know—besides what I’m about to say in my review, of course…
Fast-paced, finely layered, and piled full of long-buried secrets, Lies He Told Me lived up to its name, no doubt about it. From the twisty, twisty plot to the thoughtfully compelling characters, it not only felt like a star novel from both titled authors, but also perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and those like him. With multiple plot lines that couldn’t possibly seem to intersect and an explosive climax that got my heart racing, it was a perfectly crafted psychological thriller that kept me completely under its thrall from beginning to end.
The characters themselves were a mix of both believable and also somewhat one-dimensional. After all, the central personas—especially Marcie—felt well-developed and realistic. The supporting characters, however, were significantly less convincing. They did, though, go along nicely with a plot that required a definite suspension of all disbelief. Did that detract from the novel? Not in the slightest. Riveting, unputdownable, and downright addictive, the ratcheting pace and shocking reveals kept my fingers flying through the pages until the perfectly plotted conclusion.
All said and done, while this did have somewhat of a James Patterson formulaic feel, there was enough of David Ellis’s magical touches within the schemes, twists, and lies that I was wholly won over. And then there was the gold star game of cat-and-mouse that left my mouth dry with swelling anticipation. Thanks to multiple POVs and short cliffhanger chapters, all of the pieces fell blissfully into place to deliver a dynamite thriller that I utterly inhaled. So run—don’t walk—to order this book today. Sure to burst any slump, you’re going to want this one now. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to James Patterson; David Ellis; and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 30, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: infidelity, gun violence, death of a spouse
Fast-paced, finely layered, and piled full of long-buried secrets, Lies He Told Me lived up to its name, no doubt about it. From the twisty, twisty plot to the thoughtfully compelling characters, it not only felt like a star novel from both titled authors, but also perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and those like him. With multiple plot lines that couldn’t possibly seem to intersect and an explosive climax that got my heart racing, it was a perfectly crafted psychological thriller that kept me completely under its thrall from beginning to end.
The characters themselves were a mix of both believable and also somewhat one-dimensional. After all, the central personas—especially Marcie—felt well-developed and realistic. The supporting characters, however, were significantly less convincing. They did, though, go along nicely with a plot that required a definite suspension of all disbelief. Did that detract from the novel? Not in the slightest. Riveting, unputdownable, and downright addictive, the ratcheting pace and shocking reveals kept my fingers flying through the pages until the perfectly plotted conclusion.
All said and done, while this did have somewhat of a James Patterson formulaic feel, there was enough of David Ellis’s magical touches within the schemes, twists, and lies that I was wholly won over. And then there was the gold star game of cat-and-mouse that left my mouth dry with swelling anticipation. Thanks to multiple POVs and short cliffhanger chapters, all of the pieces fell blissfully into place to deliver a dynamite thriller that I utterly inhaled. So run—don’t walk—to order this book today. Sure to burst any slump, you’re going to want this one now. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to James Patterson; David Ellis; and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 30, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: infidelity, gun violence, death of a spouse
November 13, 2024
4⭐
Genre ~ crime thriller
Setting ~ Illinois
Publication date ~ September 30, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 373 (113 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 6 minutes
Narrators ~ Stephanie Németh-Parker, Corey Carthew
POV ~ single 1st person POV, present tense & multiple 3rd person POV
Featuring ~ short chapters, secrets and lies, of course, infidelity
I haven't read Patterson in a hot minute, but I've enjoyed Ellis's work so I figured I'd give this one a whirl.
Weird things begin happening to David & Marcie after David makes headlines diving into a river to save a stranger.
Secrets are revealed. Twists are twisted. Is everything that happened plausible? Nope, but it's an enjoyable thriller full of fast paced action.
PS ~ I think Ellis can stand on his own and doesn't need Patterson, but I wouldn't mind if the collaborated again.
Narration notes:
A great job done by both.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ crime thriller
Setting ~ Illinois
Publication date ~ September 30, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 373 (113 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 6 minutes
Narrators ~ Stephanie Németh-Parker, Corey Carthew
POV ~ single 1st person POV, present tense & multiple 3rd person POV
Featuring ~ short chapters, secrets and lies, of course, infidelity
I haven't read Patterson in a hot minute, but I've enjoyed Ellis's work so I figured I'd give this one a whirl.
Weird things begin happening to David & Marcie after David makes headlines diving into a river to save a stranger.
Secrets are revealed. Twists are twisted. Is everything that happened plausible? Nope, but it's an enjoyable thriller full of fast paced action.
PS ~ I think Ellis can stand on his own and doesn't need Patterson, but I wouldn't mind if the collaborated again.
Narration notes:
A great job done by both.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
October 2, 2024
Absolutely could not put this down… in true James Patterson style, he hooked me from the first paragraph and took me one wild ride. 5 solid stars and highly recommend this to all of my thriller-loving friends.
October 27, 2024
What’s this? A modern James Patterson novel I actually really liked?? Say it ain’t so!! I’ve gotten so used to new James Patterson being below to mid average most of the time so was genuinely surprised by this.
Good premise, with a husband’s secret life and the lies he told his wife up to that point. It’s on brand for a Patterson thriller with a few twists in between that had me actually guessing.
The Marcie character was very likeable and reminded me of Jane Smith, with her take no shit kind of attitude when pushed to the brink.
Overall, fun with good surprises and a plot that left me spinning. 4 and a half stars. Recommended!!
Good premise, with a husband’s secret life and the lies he told his wife up to that point. It’s on brand for a Patterson thriller with a few twists in between that had me actually guessing.
The Marcie character was very likeable and reminded me of Jane Smith, with her take no shit kind of attitude when pushed to the brink.
Overall, fun with good surprises and a plot that left me spinning. 4 and a half stars. Recommended!!
June 30, 2024
What is better than a rainy day spent on the couch with a cup of a tea and a book by one of your favourite authors? Nothing I tell you… nothing. It is no secret that I am obsessed with James Patterson books, and with Lies He Told Me, the added bonus of the co writer being none other than David Ellis!! A win all round I would say.
I started and finished this book in a few hours. It is super fast paced and full of twists and turns you will not want to stop. I had my theories, that kept changing throughout the story. Was I right.. I rarely am and this time was no different.
An ordinary suburban family, 2 kids, a happy life. Until an heroic incident shines a light on them and every thing changes. That is all you need to know. I don’t think I even knew that much, it is James Patterson after all.
One of his best, and he has so many books. A stand-alone book that will have you holding your breath while you turn those pages. Don’t miss it. Publishes on September 30th.
Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company for my advanced copy to read. Always an honour to have the chance with this author.
I started and finished this book in a few hours. It is super fast paced and full of twists and turns you will not want to stop. I had my theories, that kept changing throughout the story. Was I right.. I rarely am and this time was no different.
An ordinary suburban family, 2 kids, a happy life. Until an heroic incident shines a light on them and every thing changes. That is all you need to know. I don’t think I even knew that much, it is James Patterson after all.
One of his best, and he has so many books. A stand-alone book that will have you holding your breath while you turn those pages. Don’t miss it. Publishes on September 30th.
Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company for my advanced copy to read. Always an honour to have the chance with this author.
October 13, 2024
“Lies He Told Me” is a fall thriller release from James Patterson and veteran writing partner, David Ellis.
This is the story of Marcie and David Bowers, a happy couple living in small town with their two kids. Marcie, a former member of a highly prestigious Chicago law firm, is now content practicing family law. David is the owner of Hemingway’s Pub, a local bar and restaurant that does well.
One evening while Marcie and David are celebrating his birthday, they witness an SUV suddenly veer off Anna’s bridge into Cotton River. David immediately jumps in in an attempt to save the driver who suffered a n epileptic seizure. Fortunately, David is able to break the driver’s side window and pull the victim from the vehicle to the surface, where an emergency rescue team is able to extract and take them to a local hospital.
Thanks to those watching from the shore, videos of David’s act of heroism spreads like wildfire over social media. David tries to downplay his newfound momentary fame. However, about a month later strange things start happening to Marcie, David, and their two children. Their dog goes missing, their coffeepot is found in the clothes dryer, and Marcie cannot find her courtroom ID…
Then things get worse when Marcie discovers that David lied to her. His explanation feels very wrong to her. She starts to wonder if David’s celebrity status has brought unwanted attention of a dangerous kind. However, the scary truth that Marcie faces, is that she may know less about her loving husband that she ever imagined…
In many ways, this was a typical Patterson mystery thriller, delivering his proven formula driven plotlines with crisp and fast-paced story telling prowess. The good news is that this was an enjoyable reading experience, providing a day’s worth of guilty pleasure, mind candy. Patterson and Ellis have written several good books together including “The Red Book” and “Invisible” that solidified their successful working relationship together. This novel - “Lies He Told Me” - is an extension of that relationship.
Now don’t get me wrong. This was not a classic or something that I would rate as outstanding, but it was a fun read that delivered on the things we most want from Patterson – fast-paced tempo, a group of key characters facing lots of conflict and drama, and multiple plotlines that connect and drive the storytelling forward with lots of twists, turns, and surprises along the way.
For me, what I think I appreciated the most was that this time Patterson and Ellis didn’t try to do too much. The story was focused, played out on a smaller scale, and was layered with the right amount of tempo, drama, and plotting. Sometimes Patterson tries to throw everything in including the kitchen sink, but sometimes more is less, and in this case, that made it better.
Overall, I think the best way to describe this kind of book is use one of my Patterson truths. We don’t read him for realism (and there were some definite moments when reality had to be set aside). We read him for high level thrillers that help us escape our daily grind and enjoy an exciting reading experience that makes us forget about everything else going on in our lives. “Lies He Told Me” was a prime example of that. Although it wasn’t one of his bigger scale novels or one of his best, it was still better than many of his books. One that is a worthy, entertaining, escapist reading.
For me, it was a worthy 3.5 out of 5-stars. (Side note -someday, Goodreads is going to have find a way to let readers give half-star ratings… Until then I am forced to round my score.)
My advice. Sit back and relax. Enjoy this one with one of your favorite choice of drinks. A guilty pleasure experience here we go…
This is the story of Marcie and David Bowers, a happy couple living in small town with their two kids. Marcie, a former member of a highly prestigious Chicago law firm, is now content practicing family law. David is the owner of Hemingway’s Pub, a local bar and restaurant that does well.
One evening while Marcie and David are celebrating his birthday, they witness an SUV suddenly veer off Anna’s bridge into Cotton River. David immediately jumps in in an attempt to save the driver who suffered a n epileptic seizure. Fortunately, David is able to break the driver’s side window and pull the victim from the vehicle to the surface, where an emergency rescue team is able to extract and take them to a local hospital.
Thanks to those watching from the shore, videos of David’s act of heroism spreads like wildfire over social media. David tries to downplay his newfound momentary fame. However, about a month later strange things start happening to Marcie, David, and their two children. Their dog goes missing, their coffeepot is found in the clothes dryer, and Marcie cannot find her courtroom ID…
Then things get worse when Marcie discovers that David lied to her. His explanation feels very wrong to her. She starts to wonder if David’s celebrity status has brought unwanted attention of a dangerous kind. However, the scary truth that Marcie faces, is that she may know less about her loving husband that she ever imagined…
In many ways, this was a typical Patterson mystery thriller, delivering his proven formula driven plotlines with crisp and fast-paced story telling prowess. The good news is that this was an enjoyable reading experience, providing a day’s worth of guilty pleasure, mind candy. Patterson and Ellis have written several good books together including “The Red Book” and “Invisible” that solidified their successful working relationship together. This novel - “Lies He Told Me” - is an extension of that relationship.
Now don’t get me wrong. This was not a classic or something that I would rate as outstanding, but it was a fun read that delivered on the things we most want from Patterson – fast-paced tempo, a group of key characters facing lots of conflict and drama, and multiple plotlines that connect and drive the storytelling forward with lots of twists, turns, and surprises along the way.
For me, what I think I appreciated the most was that this time Patterson and Ellis didn’t try to do too much. The story was focused, played out on a smaller scale, and was layered with the right amount of tempo, drama, and plotting. Sometimes Patterson tries to throw everything in including the kitchen sink, but sometimes more is less, and in this case, that made it better.
Overall, I think the best way to describe this kind of book is use one of my Patterson truths. We don’t read him for realism (and there were some definite moments when reality had to be set aside). We read him for high level thrillers that help us escape our daily grind and enjoy an exciting reading experience that makes us forget about everything else going on in our lives. “Lies He Told Me” was a prime example of that. Although it wasn’t one of his bigger scale novels or one of his best, it was still better than many of his books. One that is a worthy, entertaining, escapist reading.
For me, it was a worthy 3.5 out of 5-stars. (Side note -someday, Goodreads is going to have find a way to let readers give half-star ratings… Until then I am forced to round my score.)
My advice. Sit back and relax. Enjoy this one with one of your favorite choice of drinks. A guilty pleasure experience here we go…
August 10, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, David Ellis, and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I have always liked the writing of David Ellis, who’s turned out to be one of the better collaborators James Patterson has added to his list of co-authors. Together, they tend to be able to create strong stories that keep the reader hooked and wondering throughout. After a harrowing rescue of a stranger in a lake, David Bowers is a local celebrity, something that he does not want. His wife, Marcie, is baffled by this. When things begin happening around their home, Marcie is surprise and highly agitated. She soon learns that David has not been forthright with her, but does it know the details. As she begins to peel it back, she learns troubling things about the man to whom she is married. These things could not only harm her , but also might cost the family their lives. Rushing to the to the heart of the matter, Marcie discovers that the lies have been piling up and their end result could be extremely dangerous. Patterson and Ellis deliver once more with this poignant thriller.
In the small community of Hemingway Grove, Illinois, nothing ever happens of note. That is, until David Bowers rescues a drowning man from the river. David finds himself in the limelight, somewhere he wishes not to be. While somewhat understandable, his wife, Marcie, cannot comprehend why the notoriety has David so uncomfortable.
Within a month, things begin happening to the Bowers’, events that many might find unsettling. Engaging the local police, these are apparently random attacks, but the reason remains a mystery. Things continue to get worse and David becomes more troubled. He begins keeping things from Marcie, which she finds additionally problematic. David’s lies begin to create a wedge between himself and Marcie, which only fuels a desire to get to the truth.
What Marcie discovers shocks her. She begins to question just how well she knows her husband and whether these attacks are not random, but targeted for a series of events that took place years ago, Could David be hiding more than simply an indiscretion or two, but an entire life? If so, how far will he go to keep it hidden and what dangers await Marcie? A chilling story that had me gripped until the very end.
James Patterson and David Ellis have long made a strong collaborative team. Their writing is solid and provides stellar novels that I can be sure to enjoy. The narrative flow is quick and fast-paced, which keeps the reader engaged as they try to pull out key elements throughout. The strong storytelling gets better as the piece moves along, helped by the Patterson short-chapter technique, before presenting something with so many moving parts. Momentum is key to keeping the story on point and the authors do so with ease. Characters help in the story’s progression, adding their own aspects to enrich the storytelling.
Plot is key to the story of this nature. The authors keep things on point and surprise the reader at various times n the novel, especially as the truth emerges and David Bowers is revealed to be the man he wants no one to recognize. Never revealing too much in a single section, the authors keep the story shrouded in mystery until all can be revealed. I am eager to see what else these two authors have in store for readers, as Ellis surely brings the best out in Patterson.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ellis, for delivering something well worth my time.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have always liked the writing of David Ellis, who’s turned out to be one of the better collaborators James Patterson has added to his list of co-authors. Together, they tend to be able to create strong stories that keep the reader hooked and wondering throughout. After a harrowing rescue of a stranger in a lake, David Bowers is a local celebrity, something that he does not want. His wife, Marcie, is baffled by this. When things begin happening around their home, Marcie is surprise and highly agitated. She soon learns that David has not been forthright with her, but does it know the details. As she begins to peel it back, she learns troubling things about the man to whom she is married. These things could not only harm her , but also might cost the family their lives. Rushing to the to the heart of the matter, Marcie discovers that the lies have been piling up and their end result could be extremely dangerous. Patterson and Ellis deliver once more with this poignant thriller.
In the small community of Hemingway Grove, Illinois, nothing ever happens of note. That is, until David Bowers rescues a drowning man from the river. David finds himself in the limelight, somewhere he wishes not to be. While somewhat understandable, his wife, Marcie, cannot comprehend why the notoriety has David so uncomfortable.
Within a month, things begin happening to the Bowers’, events that many might find unsettling. Engaging the local police, these are apparently random attacks, but the reason remains a mystery. Things continue to get worse and David becomes more troubled. He begins keeping things from Marcie, which she finds additionally problematic. David’s lies begin to create a wedge between himself and Marcie, which only fuels a desire to get to the truth.
What Marcie discovers shocks her. She begins to question just how well she knows her husband and whether these attacks are not random, but targeted for a series of events that took place years ago, Could David be hiding more than simply an indiscretion or two, but an entire life? If so, how far will he go to keep it hidden and what dangers await Marcie? A chilling story that had me gripped until the very end.
James Patterson and David Ellis have long made a strong collaborative team. Their writing is solid and provides stellar novels that I can be sure to enjoy. The narrative flow is quick and fast-paced, which keeps the reader engaged as they try to pull out key elements throughout. The strong storytelling gets better as the piece moves along, helped by the Patterson short-chapter technique, before presenting something with so many moving parts. Momentum is key to keeping the story on point and the authors do so with ease. Characters help in the story’s progression, adding their own aspects to enrich the storytelling.
Plot is key to the story of this nature. The authors keep things on point and surprise the reader at various times n the novel, especially as the truth emerges and David Bowers is revealed to be the man he wants no one to recognize. Never revealing too much in a single section, the authors keep the story shrouded in mystery until all can be revealed. I am eager to see what else these two authors have in store for readers, as Ellis surely brings the best out in Patterson.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ellis, for delivering something well worth my time.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 26, 2024
Outlier here. My thoughts on Lies He Told Me run opposite of most readers…
Lately, I’ve been expanding my reading choices by carefully selecting new-to-me authors. I thought James Patterson would be a safe choice for me, especially after giving my first Patterson book, The #1 Lawyer, five stars. However, this didn’t even seem to be the same author. Could it possibly be the influence of his co-writer, David Ellis? Recently I started reading my first Ellis book, Look Closer, and disliked it so completely than I couldn’t finish it. However, I didn’t pick up the Ellis connection when choosing Lies He Told Me. All I saw was James Patterson.
Since there were so many aspects of this book that I disliked, it’s a bit hard to choose where to start so why not start with the mob. Then I’ll add crooked cops. And then the killers always lurking and spying. Oh, and the hidden identities. Wait, let’s not forget that the FBI is involved. And then there’s the missing money and characters who are more stereotypes than human. There’s so much more but I must add one more aspect that really made me turn away – the violence.
David and Marcie Bowers seem to be a happy couple. She’s an attorney practicing family law after leaving a big city law firm. David owns a local pub and is well known in the community. Their lives drastically change when David saves a person from drowning and it is caught on video. David is a hero and reporters are everywhere looking for an interview. He’s not interested and now that his deed has been viewed nationally, there are those who are eager to find him… and kill him.
The setup seemed pretty smooth and I was hopeful until I hit my first bit of confusion. Okay authors, help me understand how this adds to the plot or where it fits in. It’s not an element of mystery or is it? Their answer to my request for help? More confusion. More introductions of characters that you have no idea who they are or what their purpose is. And then there are the characters who are introduced as one thing but are really another. Characters, especially those with evil intent, are popping up everywhere. One or two of those elements are welcome in a thriller or mystery but to have them erratically piled one on top of another takes this book beyond fictional to unrealistic.
The writing is choppy with plot holes galore. This is your basic mob story with misunderstandings everywhere. As I listened, it grew into a chaotic mess with necessary information (that could help the reader understand just what is going on) withheld.
None of the characters are all that likable. There are many points of view and the text skips from one to another erratically. They add to the implausible twisting and turning of the plot line.
The narration was a disappointment. Both narrators performed certain characters unrealistically with some sounding as though they lacked intelligence while other adults sounded like children.
I’ll keep selectively reading James Patterson. I’ll avoid David Ellis. This makes two Ellis 2 star reviews.
Lately, I’ve been expanding my reading choices by carefully selecting new-to-me authors. I thought James Patterson would be a safe choice for me, especially after giving my first Patterson book, The #1 Lawyer, five stars. However, this didn’t even seem to be the same author. Could it possibly be the influence of his co-writer, David Ellis? Recently I started reading my first Ellis book, Look Closer, and disliked it so completely than I couldn’t finish it. However, I didn’t pick up the Ellis connection when choosing Lies He Told Me. All I saw was James Patterson.
Since there were so many aspects of this book that I disliked, it’s a bit hard to choose where to start so why not start with the mob. Then I’ll add crooked cops. And then the killers always lurking and spying. Oh, and the hidden identities. Wait, let’s not forget that the FBI is involved. And then there’s the missing money and characters who are more stereotypes than human. There’s so much more but I must add one more aspect that really made me turn away – the violence.
David and Marcie Bowers seem to be a happy couple. She’s an attorney practicing family law after leaving a big city law firm. David owns a local pub and is well known in the community. Their lives drastically change when David saves a person from drowning and it is caught on video. David is a hero and reporters are everywhere looking for an interview. He’s not interested and now that his deed has been viewed nationally, there are those who are eager to find him… and kill him.
The setup seemed pretty smooth and I was hopeful until I hit my first bit of confusion. Okay authors, help me understand how this adds to the plot or where it fits in. It’s not an element of mystery or is it? Their answer to my request for help? More confusion. More introductions of characters that you have no idea who they are or what their purpose is. And then there are the characters who are introduced as one thing but are really another. Characters, especially those with evil intent, are popping up everywhere. One or two of those elements are welcome in a thriller or mystery but to have them erratically piled one on top of another takes this book beyond fictional to unrealistic.
The writing is choppy with plot holes galore. This is your basic mob story with misunderstandings everywhere. As I listened, it grew into a chaotic mess with necessary information (that could help the reader understand just what is going on) withheld.
None of the characters are all that likable. There are many points of view and the text skips from one to another erratically. They add to the implausible twisting and turning of the plot line.
The narration was a disappointment. Both narrators performed certain characters unrealistically with some sounding as though they lacked intelligence while other adults sounded like children.
I’ll keep selectively reading James Patterson. I’ll avoid David Ellis. This makes two Ellis 2 star reviews.
November 16, 2024
If you can avoid it, don’t read the description! Just trust these 2 well-known authors & dive right in! :)
November 23, 2024
This will be a 5 ⭐️ read for many. If you like fast-paced thrillers that start with a punch, don’t let my 3 ⭐️s deter you.
The writing is like a speed skater, hurtling across the slick surface, his characters maneuvering around blockers and obstacles. Millions love that.
Then along comes me, a first-time Patterson reader, giving it a 3 for not being more of an ice sculpture.
The writing is like a speed skater, hurtling across the slick surface, his characters maneuvering around blockers and obstacles. Millions love that.
Then along comes me, a first-time Patterson reader, giving it a 3 for not being more of an ice sculpture.
October 2, 2024
Happy belated publication day 🎉🎉
This was an easy and quick read. Short chapters too.
What if the man you’ve been married to with children is not the man you thought he was? What if he could have been a hit man in his past life? What would you do?
I enjoyed this and could tell the parts where Ellis took over. I will say the ending was definitely over the top. However, I could see this being a blockbuster motion picture.
Thank you to Little Brown n co, James Patterson and David Ellis for the opportunity. I even purchased the hardback because it’s that gorgeous!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an easy and quick read. Short chapters too.
What if the man you’ve been married to with children is not the man you thought he was? What if he could have been a hit man in his past life? What would you do?
I enjoyed this and could tell the parts where Ellis took over. I will say the ending was definitely over the top. However, I could see this being a blockbuster motion picture.
Thank you to Little Brown n co, James Patterson and David Ellis for the opportunity. I even purchased the hardback because it’s that gorgeous!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 9, 2024
It’s a JP book, do I need to say anything more? Typical 100+ Chapters, but a very fast read. At first I thought there were going to be so many characters I wasn’t going to keep up with all of them. But, that wasn’t the case, I quickly got them straight pretty quickly. There are many surprises all through the book up to the very end! Love the statue!
September 30, 2024
4.5 Stars
Listened to this in one day.
Marcy and David have a good marriage and two children.
Marcy is a lawyer, and David owns a tavern. As suspicious things start happening and David working longer hours Marcy suspects he's having an affair.
That couldn't be farther from the truth.
David seems to be caught up in something he can't get himself out of.
A few povs in this story. You really need to pay attention to get the full story. A few twists in this book.
Once again a great thriller from James Patterson and David Ellis.
Listened to this in one day.
Marcy and David have a good marriage and two children.
Marcy is a lawyer, and David owns a tavern. As suspicious things start happening and David working longer hours Marcy suspects he's having an affair.
That couldn't be farther from the truth.
David seems to be caught up in something he can't get himself out of.
A few povs in this story. You really need to pay attention to get the full story. A few twists in this book.
Once again a great thriller from James Patterson and David Ellis.
September 30, 2024
Lies He Told Me—5⭐️
A “Must Read” for all thriller fans!
AMAZING! Heart pounding whiplash of twists and turns! All perfectly executed. Brilliant writing and storytelling.
Marcie Bowers has a wonderful husband and two amazing kids. She’s comfortable in her small town and matrimonial law profession. She had previously worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Chicago but left that behind when then things took an unexpected turn. Now her comfort and stability is about to be rocked when she finds out her husband isn’t who she thought he was and everything about their time together has been based on lies. The only question left is will they make it out alive as the truth unravels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Sep 30 2024
A “Must Read” for all thriller fans!
AMAZING! Heart pounding whiplash of twists and turns! All perfectly executed. Brilliant writing and storytelling.
Marcie Bowers has a wonderful husband and two amazing kids. She’s comfortable in her small town and matrimonial law profession. She had previously worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Chicago but left that behind when then things took an unexpected turn. Now her comfort and stability is about to be rocked when she finds out her husband isn’t who she thought he was and everything about their time together has been based on lies. The only question left is will they make it out alive as the truth unravels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Sep 30 2024
September 20, 2024
James Patterson never fails to deliver a good thriller, and this was no exception. This one is written with David Ellis, who has collaborated with Patterson previously. How can you resist a book filled with Lies?
Description:
She's in love—with a liar.
An attorney and mother of two discovers her husband’s secret life—and it might cost them all their lives.
Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers.
David owns the local pub.
Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.
For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.
A wife knows the difference between a loving husband and father and a cold-blooded assassin. Right?
My Thoughts:
Some big, fat lies in this book! I was hooked immediately to the story in this book. It was as enthralling read and I couldn't put it down. Lots of action and plot movement here. I felt so bad for Marcie, This book was full of twists and turns which raised many questions. There is a lot of tension here. David, being a hero, triggered a storm! This is a great thriller.
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
She's in love—with a liar.
An attorney and mother of two discovers her husband’s secret life—and it might cost them all their lives.
Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers.
David owns the local pub.
Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.
For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.
A wife knows the difference between a loving husband and father and a cold-blooded assassin. Right?
My Thoughts:
Some big, fat lies in this book! I was hooked immediately to the story in this book. It was as enthralling read and I couldn't put it down. Lots of action and plot movement here. I felt so bad for Marcie, This book was full of twists and turns which raised many questions. There is a lot of tension here. David, being a hero, triggered a storm! This is a great thriller.
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.
November 2, 2024
Marcie is a lawyer who returned to her hometown after a concerning court case resulting in the killing of witnesses. Once there she meets David, they get married, have kids and are living happily. Life changes after David rescues a drowning stranger and he is suddenly in the limelight. Strange things start happening at their house.
There are definitely parts that are implausible, but if you just go along with the flow and don’t question too much, it’s actually a fun mystery.
There are definitely parts that are implausible, but if you just go along with the flow and don’t question too much, it’s actually a fun mystery.
October 2, 2024
Imagine the love of your life , the father of your two children has secrets he’s keeping and you never knew until his life and your own are in danger. “Lies he told Me” by James Patterson and David Ellis take you to the small quaint town of Hemingway Grove, Illinois where strange things begin to happen in the Bower home. This explosive thriller will keep you gripped to the pages wanting more.
David and Marcie Bower celebrate an anniversary in the very spot he proposed when the next thing Marcie knows he is jumping off the bridge to save someone’s life. A hero! Fame! The worst thing that could happen to David Bowers?!
Marcie, previous lawyer and now family law, is suspicious of “odd” things happening in her life and in her family. Is she losing her mind? Are her gutted suspicions true? Is her husband who she once married and still truly loves who he claims to be?
An FBI crime investigation, a psychological thrill that will have your heart beating faster than you can turn the pages.
A mouth-dropping twist you never see coming. Highly recommend this suspenseful novel. Thanks to Little Brown & Co @netgalley for this eARC. All comments and reviews are my own.
David and Marcie Bower celebrate an anniversary in the very spot he proposed when the next thing Marcie knows he is jumping off the bridge to save someone’s life. A hero! Fame! The worst thing that could happen to David Bowers?!
Marcie, previous lawyer and now family law, is suspicious of “odd” things happening in her life and in her family. Is she losing her mind? Are her gutted suspicions true? Is her husband who she once married and still truly loves who he claims to be?
An FBI crime investigation, a psychological thrill that will have your heart beating faster than you can turn the pages.
A mouth-dropping twist you never see coming. Highly recommend this suspenseful novel. Thanks to Little Brown & Co @netgalley for this eARC. All comments and reviews are my own.
September 23, 2024
I don’t know how much input Patterson has into his books lately but this is definitely a David Ellis book through and through - it’s kind of a combination of his last two standalone novels (Look Closer & The Best Lies), combining a domestic thriller with a heavy crime storyline. Ellis writes such bingeable reads and this one was really fun and twisty. fans of his previous stuff should like this one too!
December 2, 2024
Exactly what you expect from a Patterson novel, he grabs you by the feels in the first chapter with a heroic rescue and then the action, doesn’t let up until the end. As always, it’s a twisty, turny, fast paced, exciting adventure. The out of the box thinking/planning of the heroine near the end was both unexpected and brilliant! The denouement wrapped up multiple storylines and was quite satisfying as the authors answered all the unknowns in the end.
August 22, 2024
Wow! I don't think I've read either of these authors and I'm asking myself why?
Wow was this ever a great book, suspense, twists, good guys, bad guys, definitely a page turner that I could not put down. Definitely a favorite book.so far this year.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book,
Wow was this ever a great book, suspense, twists, good guys, bad guys, definitely a page turner that I could not put down. Definitely a favorite book.so far this year.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book,
November 12, 2024
This story takes place in Hemingway Grove, Illinois. David owns the Hemingway Pub and is married to Marcie, who’s is an attorney.
Everything is going along good for David and Marcie and their kids until one day while David and Marcie are on a walk.
They witness a vehicle drive off the road and plunge into the river. David immediately jumps into the river and dives beneath the surface to save the driver.
The recognition David gets for being a hero soon attracts the attention of law enforcement and mobsters. Both would like to talk to David.
This is a good story!
Everything is going along good for David and Marcie and their kids until one day while David and Marcie are on a walk.
They witness a vehicle drive off the road and plunge into the river. David immediately jumps into the river and dives beneath the surface to save the driver.
The recognition David gets for being a hero soon attracts the attention of law enforcement and mobsters. Both would like to talk to David.
This is a good story!
November 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️s
David Ellis co-author. I likey.
Good fast moving thriller.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Corey Carthew, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Duration: 7 hrs, 59 min. 1.25x Speed
David Ellis co-author. I likey.
Good fast moving thriller.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Corey Carthew, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Duration: 7 hrs, 59 min. 1.25x Speed
September 1, 2024
I have some mixed feelings about this book. While the first part was a quick and enjoyable read, some inconsistencies emerged, and I started to lose interest. Ultimately, some scenes as well as the conclusion felt somewhat implausible.
That said, it is a great storyline with many twists, and I think most people will find it a great read.
That said, it is a great storyline with many twists, and I think most people will find it a great read.
September 5, 2024
David Ellis is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I have loved James Patterson since I was a kid so when I saw this come out I knew I had to read it.
David and Marcie Bowers are the ultimate power couple. She’s a lawyer and he owns a local pub. They are also parents and home life is a bit chaotic. They are trying to handle homework and practice, packing lunches and drop off while also balancing two careers. This family feels normal and relatable. Suddenly they are forced into the lime light when David rescues a drowning man out of the river. Their lives start to spiral out of control and David is not who you think he is.
This book was really good. It’s fast paced and full of twists but also has good character development.
I need these two authors to keep writing books together!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!
David and Marcie Bowers are the ultimate power couple. She’s a lawyer and he owns a local pub. They are also parents and home life is a bit chaotic. They are trying to handle homework and practice, packing lunches and drop off while also balancing two careers. This family feels normal and relatable. Suddenly they are forced into the lime light when David rescues a drowning man out of the river. Their lives start to spiral out of control and David is not who you think he is.
This book was really good. It’s fast paced and full of twists but also has good character development.
I need these two authors to keep writing books together!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!
July 3, 2024
What a power duo. This book had me hooked from the very first page. It’s so bingeable. I feel like I barely read for any length of time and blew through almost half the book, just couldn’t turn pages fast enough. There are so many layers here and it’s so well executed. Lies and twists and turns and just so much. I want to say so many things here but I don’t want to give a single piece of this book away so Its a struggle. The short chapters made this story go so quickly and it was just impossible to put down. I found myself actually biting my nails and my heart rate kicking up as I tried to speed read to the end to finally get to the damn truth. Wow. What a freakin thriller. Individually I love their books but together made it even more special.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy!
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