Truth-Stained Lies

Moonlighter, Book 1

By: Terri Blackstock

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling suspense author Blackstock asks, When truth doesn’t make sense, will lies prevail?

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief...until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.

Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.

• Full-length suspense novel
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Part of the Moonlighters series
• Book One: Truth Stained Lies
• Book Two: Distortion
• Book Three: Twisted Innocence

©2013 Teri Blackstock (P)2013 Zondervan

Critic reviews

“Crisp prose, an engaging story, and brisk pacing make this thriller another home run for Blackstock.” (Library Journal, starred review)

great read

author writes a good story while keeping it clean. all her books are well written

Truth Stained Lies

Any additional comments?

The narrator did an excellent job. The suspense was wonderful. It was also nice to see how different family members deal with the problems facing the family since they have varying relationships with God. I've enjoyed all of Terri's books and look forward to upcoming releases.

Enjoyed, but.....

I enjoyed this book as I have all of hers thus far! I much prefer the reader/narrator from the series with the character, “Aunt Aggie.”
This storyline was fun and the sisters were really great! This author & her characters make you feel like you know them. It’s really fun and I’m going to continue to listen/read this author. Have not been disappointed yet!
Thanks for another enjoyable book!!!

why the whine?

The plot was good. The characters were ok. Too many characters introduced in the first few chapters, so it was a bit confusing as to who is related to whom. I could have dealt with that. BUT, stopped listening when I got to Chapter 12 because the narrator has the whiniest, most annoying voice. truly irritating. Hope she isn't hired to narrate any more books. I want my money back.

Whining voice

I have tried twice to listen to this book and both times got to a point I couldn’t continue. This is an author I love and the storyline is intriguing (thus trying twice) but the reader, though her voice is fine, decided to make all the characters whiny. I found myself disliking all the characters and when I really listened to their words and not her inflections, I realized it wasn’t the words, but the way they were being dramatized. I will get the written for of this book and read it rather than listen to it.

Don't waste your money or your credits

Was Truth-Stained Lies worth the listening time?

No. The story is so very predictable and boring. However, it was made worse by the reader, who is really awful. The voices are fake and grating to the ear.

Good book, good reader

What made the experience of listening to Truth-Stained Lies the most enjoyable?

The author writes very well; her characters are real, and suspenseful. Her Christian message, though clear, is not heavy handed like many others in the genre. I like a good mystery, and though the story started a bit slow, the narrator kept me interested until it picked up. From then on, I couldn't stop listening. Good job.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Truth-Stained Lies?

If I told you, it would be a spoiler! ;0) It's toward the end. That is all I will say!

Have you listened to any of Gabrielle de Cuir’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I think I have listened to her on Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury, and enjoyed her and the male narrator very much. I loved the way she did the sisters in this one, especially Holly, who is a hoot. And not many readers can do little kids well. I also liked her reading of Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock. She does emotional things that are very moving. Made the story very scary and exciting to me.

If you could rename Truth-Stained Lies, what would you call it?

Oh, that's a good question. Maybe "White Lies."

Any additional comments?

No. Just God Bless!

Great Book

This is a good book! I love Terri Blackstock's work! I can't wait to start the next book in the series!

Too much religious

This book had too many preachy religious references. Good story otherwise. Good characters and good pace.

Narrator too whiny?

The adult characters often sounded like children when emotional. This was distracting. The story was good and enjoyable.