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)

Better than earlier reviews

I agree with the earlier reviewer. The book is a really great read. Yes the production could have been better, but I wouldn't have noticed anything had others not mentioned it. I really like the narrator's voice. I'm glad Audible had this one on sale!

5stars

What a great writer!I couldn't wait the hear the next chapter and yet I didn't want it to end. The narrator was perfect!

If it happened in NC it should sound like it

This is a riveting mystery, well paced, and makes me want to hear more from this author.. but where is Frank Muller when we need him? He put so much of that Southern feel to John Grisham's work, and this book is every bit as good as Grisham's. Too bad the reader doesn't capture that soft drawl that could carry the listener to Rowan county, NC.

starts slow, but the ending is worth it

wasn't sure I wanted to keep listening past the first few chapters, but I'm so glad I did!

worth the read

Would you consider the audio edition of The King of Lies to be better than the print version?

Do not know did not have print edition

Who was your favorite character and why?

Work - It is quite notable that he is in a profession he should not be in but it happens alot in real life - He is way too easily managed by those around him - but he is brave - he has HONOR most today do not know what that means and he has faults as do we all

What about David Chandler’s performance did you like?

He did a good job he made the people alive and real made me cry most audios do not do that

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

the end where he talks about his child

Any additional comments?

I really like his characters, the author made me care about them and the twist and turns were great and the different messages from difference sources I went from feeling sorry to absolute dislike lol Well worth the read

Great plot

The plot of the book was great and there was plenty of suspense. There were a couple of times where the author could have cut out a couple hundred words and got to the point quicker.

Overall would definitely recommend

Great story!

I really enjoyed this story. Only issue was the recording (sounded like done in a garage).

Nothing short of fantastic!

I couldn't put this down. In addition to the many twists and turns, I enjoyed the cadence of the language and lack of contractions. Another reviewer mentioned the similarity to Conroy's Prince of Tides (I wish this site allowed italics or underlining!), which seems right and complimentary. Will definitely look for another title by this amazing author.

medicre

very mediocre in writing, character development and plot. I expected a higher quality courtroom drama b

Unfortunate Application of Amazing Talent

This is my second read by the most capable author, John Hart. The first was Redemption Road. It was dark as well, but I thought I would give this clearly talented writer a second chance. Hart, whilst expertly wielding his pen, is apparently not satisfied with reasonably interesting conundrums for his characters to manage. It seems he is not happy unless they are wallowing in the deepest depths of human depravity. Unfortunate. So unless you wish to be depressed for 19 hours of a 21 hour read, I suggest you find a different author. Perhaps someday, he will lighten up and use his ample talents for something a bit more enjoyable for peeps like me. Meanwhile, if dark is your cup of tea, you will no doubt find this and his others 5 star reads.