One Lie Too Many

By: Eileen Cook

Narrated by: Elizabeth Bailey

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the John Spray Award for best YA mystery novel in Canada 2018.

Skye Thorn has given tarot card readings for years, and now her psychic visions are helping the police find the town’s missing golden girl. It’s no challenge - her readings have always been faked, but this time she has some insider knowledge. The kidnapping was supposed to be easy - no one would get hurt and she’d get the money she needs to start a new life. But a seemingly harmless prank has turned dark, and Skye realizes the people she’s involved with are willing to kill to get what they want and she must discover their true identity before it’s too late.

This novel was formally titled: The Hanging Girl.

©2017 Eileen Cook (P)2020 Eileen Cook

Critic reviews

"Trust no one. The Hanging Girl /One Lie Too Many is a nail-biter littered and lined with twists that will leave you gasping." (Teresa Toten, author of Beware That Girl and The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B)

Twisty thriller

This is my second Eileen Cook novel and I’ve got to say, I’m hooked. I don’t know much about teenage girls, but the ones in this book are pretty crazy. Skye is the main protagonist – and she lies to everyone around her. Little ones like ‘I’m a psychic who reads tarot cards’ to big ones like ‘yeah, I’ve got enough money saved to go to New York’. I suspected she was going to self-destruct with so many fibs to keep straight. Then a fellow student goes missing, and Skye finds herself – or puts herself – into the middle of the investigation.

I didn’t see all the twists coming, although I kind of guessed the ending but that’s just because there were only a certain number of people likely to have done the deed. What impressed me was the story. And how some people were so determined to destroy others. And how lies can turn on us when we least expect them to.

I’ll mention Elizabeth Bailey who did a great job narrating the book – just the perfect voice for the project. I can’t wait for more books by Ms. Cook.

Nearly perfect

GRADE: A+


THE HANGING GIRL just might be a perfect book. WITH MALICE, Eileen Cook's last year home run was one of my favorites of last year, so my expectations were quite high for this years book. I didn't think Cook could equal last year, I hoped THE HANGING GIRL would be good enough for 4 or 5 stars.

My plan was to read slowly, to stretch out the pleasure. I even forced myself to take a break. Hours later, I failed in my efforts and finished this masterpiece.

Skye, a fake psychic, reads tarot cards for fun. Her mother, who believes she's psychic, couldn't read a sign if it said STOP at the end of a street. Skye hopes to save enough money to accompany her BFF Drew to college in New York City, but the odds aren't in her favor. Then Paige, one of the popular girls, is kidnapped and Skye has visions. Or does she? What starts off as a way to make some extra money for NYC, might just end up killing her.

ONE LIE YOO MANY never stops twisting and turning or surprising. Eileen Cook doesn't just twist for the sake of throwing surprises, each OMG-I-didn't-see-that-coming felt organic and necessary. I consider myself a savvy reader, but Cook fooled me every time.

Skye and honesty have a precarious relationship, but her heart is sincere and without malice (pun intended). Her prevarications stem more from self preservation than an intent to be deceitful. I didn't always agree, but understood her motivations. I liked her. A lot.

Cook set the bar high last year, and even higher this year. Her use of voice and pacing made ONE LIE TOO MANY unputdownable. My only criticism is that I wish she could write faster, so I wouldn't have to wait until I see what she does next.

My favorite pro-diversity moment is when Skye slams Chik-FilA as homophobic and lectures her mother for praising the fast food restaurant.

If you like mysteries, thrillers, strong female characters, great writing, heck, if you like reading ONE LIE TOI MANY is a must read.