The King of Lies

By: John Hart

Narrated by: David Chandler

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

John Hart creates a literary thriller that is as suspenseful as it is poignant, a riveting murder mystery layered beneath the southern drawl of a humble North Carolina lawyer. When Work Pickens finds his father murdered, the investigation pushes a repressed family history to the surface and he sees his own carefully constructed facade begin to crack.

Work's troubled sister, her combative girlfriend, his gold digging socialite wife, and an unrequited lifelong love join a cast of small town characters that create no shortage of drama in this extraordinary, fast-paced suspense novel.

Hart's mastery of prose and plot belie his newcomer status as he explores the true heart of a man. An illuminating anatomy of a murder and the ripple effect it produces within a family and a community, The King of Lies is a stunning debut.

©2006 John Hart (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

• Mystery Writers of America 2007 Edgar Nominee, Best First Novel by an American Author

"[A] stunning debut, an exceptionally deep and complex mystery thriller....Few readers will be able to resist." (Publishers Weekly)
"This is a first novel that lunges off the page, just grabs the reader by the throat and won't let go....Hart is a fine stylist, turning phrases with a panache that recalls Raymond Chandler." (Booklist)

Somewhat Predictable Mystery

This book was interesting enough to hold my attention, but it's nothing to write home about. If there was a 3.5 star option, I would have given it, as it's not quite a 4. The narrator was overly dramatic the entire way through, which took away from the true dramatic parts. You can also hear him smack his lips, turn pages and take dramatic pauses and deep breaths, so I am guessing the production budget was low. Not a bad listen, though.

. Excellent story.

This is my 3rd John Hart book. I enjoyed it. Only slight problem is there really is no likeable character in the book. The main guy borders on stupid with some of his decisions he makes . In spite of that I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended

. . . To Unravel the Truth . . .

Work Pickens IS NOT his father's son . . . even though he's afraid he is . . . he wanted to be . . . tried to live up to the giant Ezra Pickens, working at his law firm, but nobody can quite measure up to his "greatness" . . . or his overblown idea of himself . . . and when he is found murdered . . . well, it is quite the job to unravel a shred of truth in the sorted man's life . . . or death . . . I sure didn't expect to like this book so much, but it got "hold" of me from the start . . . from the quirky, snarky way of life in the little southern town, with people always trying to "one up" each other . . . to the true jewels like Vanessa, who Work has loved since he was a boy, a scruffy bum who is always walking, and a dog . . . Wading through all the family pain, looking for the murderer . . . all of it is worth it . . . Great listen!

Excellent debut novel!

I loved this book! I could not put it down. I was up late listening to it saying “just one more chapter”. The protagonist, although not without floors with a very smart and honorable man. It was a good example of how parents can really screw up a child. All through the book I kept thinking to myself this can’t be the author’s first book! And I was surprised to see it was such a long gap in time before he wrote his second book. Needless to say, I’m happy to have found him and I’m looking forward to reading his other books. I found him because I was looking for other books narrated by David Chandler, who is one of my favorite narrators. I read some of the reviews and people complaining that it was narrated by someone without a southern accent. I don’t find that disturbing at all. Perhaps that would’ve been nice but I didn’t even consider that because of how well David Chandler narrates. I don’t believe that leaves this book lacking in any way. Without going into everything, it is an excellent book that people will love. Don’t miss it!

decent

This was a good mystery and I have to say I didn't quite see the end coming. My only issue was that I wanted to keep telling Work to "get over it." I did struggle with him a little bit. I kind of saw him wearing the emotional dysfunction he grew up with as a mantle. But all-in-all, I thought this was a good thought provoker.

Sometimes it doesn't help to read reviews.

The plot and story are good. I have no objections to the reader or his accent or any noises that seem to offend people. The book was worth the price and good entertainment.

Narrator

You need not let this Man do another narrating. He is the most boring reader I have ever listened to! All the other books I have listened to have been wonderful. But this Man needs a lesson on how to captivate a listener!

Write faster, Mr. Hart!

I have binged on John Hart books for the last 2 weeks. Love the characters and the way they come to life. The stories are true tapestries. Enjoyed each book and appreciated the lack of politics and "social messaging":

great discovery

I’m so glad I found this author and he has several books I look forward to listening to. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Narrator needs a drink of water!!

Love the story but almost stopped listening 10 minutes in. Sounds like the narrator has cotton mouth and desperately needs a sip of water. Bothered me several different times while listening. However, like I said, it's a great book!