Beautiful Lies

A Novel

By: Lisa Unger

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

If Ridley Jones had slept 10 minutes later or had taken the subway instead of waiting for a cab, she would still be living the beautiful lie she used to call her life. She would still be the privileged daughter of a doting father and a loving mother. Her life would still be perfect - with only the tiny cracks of an angry junkie for a brother and a charming drunk with shady underworld connections for an uncle to mar the otherwise flawless whole.

But that's not what happened. Instead, those inconsequential decisions lead her to perform a good deed that puts her in the right place at the right time to unleash a chain of events that brings a mysterious package to her door - a package which informs her that her entire world is a lie.

Suddenly forced to question everything she knows about herself and her family, Ridley wanders into dark territory she never knew existed, where everyone in her life seems like a stranger. She has no idea who's on her side and who has something to hide - even, and maybe especially, her new lover, Jake, who appears to have secrets of his own.

Sexy and fast-paced, Beautiful Lies is a true literary thriller with one of the freshest voices and heroines to arrive in years. Lisa Unger takes us on a breathtaking ride in which every choice Ridley makes creates a whirlwind of consequences that are impossible to imagine....

©2006 Lisa Unger (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Unger takes readers on a pulse-pounding ride through the Big Apple in this outstanding debut that will please both pace-obsessed thriller fans and those who want to savor the more subtle aspects of character development." (Booklist)
"With breathless speed, Unger is off on an action-packed journey of treachery and intrigue....The premise, that there is a dark side to the safe haven law, is deep as well as clever, and Unger plays it out thrillingly." (Publishers Weekly)

Give it a chance

I put off buying this book on several occasions because of the readers reviews and finally relented after reading the writer recommendation for the third time. I will admit that if you are an action film type and prefer everyone to state their intention in less than 5 words using no more than two syllables per word, then you will hate this book. If however you actually like reading books, then you will appreciate the authors efforts to paint the scene and express her thoughts and feelings. Although I feel 5 stars is too generous, I wanted to express how strongly I disagree with the other reviews. I am an avid book reader (both normal and audio) and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I strongly recommend it and upon completion immediately bought the follow up book Sliver of Truth.

loved it

I loved this book and did not want it to end. I can't wait for her next one

Surprised and Impressed

I really liked this book. I kept checking the plot summary at the beginning to see if I was listening to the right book. It takes a lot of interesting twists and turns, once in awhile I had to back track 30 sec or a minute just to make sure I was following. I'm glad all the pieces fell into place seamlessly for me as the reader because I ended up really liking the book. Great plot.

Full of Cliches

The plot was okay, but it was written poorly. The author doesnt have much experience of the real world outside New York City...

The narrator was very good.

I enjoyed the characters but the plot line was drawn out unnecessarily. I wasn’t a fan of the main character speaking to the reader at unusual intervals during the story.

Captavating

What made the experience of listening to Beautiful Lies the most enjoyable?

The narrator and the story itself

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. It was interested how the author uncovered the secret incrementally.

Which character – as performed by Ann Marie Lee – was your favorite?

Jake - he was truely the victim of the system as well as the power driven characters in the book

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The way Ridley's mom was treated by men in general. Made me feel sorry for her.

Any additional comments?

Lisa Unger is a great author.

The ending...

was just too pat.
I won't spoil it by saying why. It was a fascinating premise with interesting characters and some lines I actually thought about writing down. I wish the author had stepped back from tidying up with a rather hallmarkian summation.

Stop and Think

Would you listen to Beautiful Lies again? Why?

Possibly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beautiful Lies?

The description that was so well done about the events of our lives and how we mesh with other lives. Those random acts, either knowningly, or unknowingly, that we perform each day. The ability to let one event in your life lead to other, more significant events.

What about Ann Marie Lee’s performance did you like?

It was well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some tedious parts that you wanted to scream and tell her to stop being so stupid, etc. After listening to the book, I checked out the written version at the library and reread some of the thoughts and ideas that stuck with me. The ideas about your lives (and karma) that intersect with others in such a profound way. It made me stop and take a look at my actions and consequences. I am currently studying Buddism, and this was a timely look into the practice.

Not Great

Struggled to finish, to drawn out and very boring. After reading some reviews I think that I had expected too much

Loved it

Couldn’t stop listening!!! It was such a good book!!! And the narrator was wonderful. She did such great job!!! This book keeps you guessing and just when you think you have it all figured out it leads you in a completely different direction!! I love books like that!!! You will love this book!! Give a listen you won’t be disappointed!!!