The Weight of Lies

By: Emily Carpenter

Narrated by: Kate Orsini

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this gripping, atmospheric family drama, a young woman investigates the forty-year-old murder that inspired her mother's bestselling novel, and uncovers devastating truths - and dangerous lies.

Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. But Meg knows that the glow of their very public life hides a darker reality of lies, manipulation, and the heartbreak of her own solitary childhood. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg accepts a proposal to write a scandalous, tell-all memoir.

Digging into the past - and her mother's cult classic - draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia, and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. At first island life seems idyllic, but as Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light...including some about her mother.

Soon Meg's search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder. She's warned to leave it alone, but as the lies pile up, Meg knows she's getting close to finding a murderer. When her own life is threatened, Meg realizes the darkness found in her mother's book is nothing compared to the chilling truth that lurks off the page.

©2017 EDC Books, LLC. (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Wow. That was pretty bad.

Where to begin... This story is incredibly weak and contrived. When you start with a lame story and then add lame, unlikeable, and stupid characters who are constatly doing stupid things it's hard to enjoy the book. It's supposed to be a mystery, but I felt like I was repeatedly being clubbed over the head with ridiculous "hints" that a 3 year old could have picked up on. I suppose some readers might enjoy this book. If you just want to be mindlessly entertained, you might be ok with this story. I just need more in my books. If I want mindless entertainment I will watch TV. Proceed with caution.

191 of 198 people found this review helpful

Interesting plot. Poorly written. Annoying performance.

The mystery does draw the listener in but as it ended, I felt the plot wasn’t sufficient compensation for the banal prose, repetitive phrases, and merciless annoyance of the lead character. I suppose the point is to show that she truly is her mother’s daughter but her constant, melodramatic whining and the voice used to portray it were maddening. Honestly, could none of the editors consider finding another phrase than ‘her breath caught’ to describe the moment? I offer that one example of the limits of this author’s tool bag. The idea for this story deserved better execution.

56 of 58 people found this review helpful

Just terrible

First of all, I didn't finish. The premise sounded good and I love a scary mystery. Sadly, almost from the start I could not stand the character or the snarky narrator. Angry, petulant, selfish, bitter, and vengeful are not attributes that form a bond with me, the reader, to a lead character. Add stupid and I'm gone. So glad I wasted as little time and money as I did.

140 of 148 people found this review helpful

Predictable story

I am going to use the word, "snarky" to describe the tone of the narrators voice. Snarky. The book is written in first person so the narrator is voicing the main character. The story is an old story line. And a story I've read several times in various stages. Sometimes a bit of a punch is added and it can enhance the story. Not in this case.

I couldn't wait for the book to be done. There was not one character that pulled me into the story which is unusual for me. And why I love reading and listening to books. I can put myself into the story in some way or the other. Not with this one.

I don't believe I'll listen to this narrator again.

43 of 45 people found this review helpful

boring , didn't finish it.

I really wanted to finish it.
but the combination of the narrator and the story was to much for me.

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Unexpected ending!!

I have been reading and re-reading Steven King for the past few months because I couldn't find anything I could get interested in. I bought this book on audible and figured I'd give it a try on a recent trip. OMG!! I was looking for places to go so I could continue to follow Meg's story. The narrator was perfect, giving life to each and every character. I'm going to look for more books by this author!

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

What is it about books with really bad mothers?

I guess it’s because I didn’t have one and I wonder if I could have ended up a normal, non-mental human being if I didn’t. Some books have equally screwed up daughters, but in this one, Meg is trying. Mostly she succeeds, but her lie detector is obviously in the shop because she pretty much believes everything people tell her. Especially when it comes to her book which she hopes will cast true light on her mother's legacy, her mother’s famous book and the real events that inspired it.

Overall it succeeds. If you read enough of this kind of thing, you know that things aren’t what they seem. Everyone is suspect, particularly the people that the writer paints with innocence. The very fact of the Kitten narrative woven into the regular text should be enough of a tip off. Carpenter keeps you guessing though and there are a few surprises in the end. Not enough for total originality, but given the genre it’s hard to do. There are only so many dark and hidden secrets to go around.

And since this is an audiobook review let me say I loved the narrator. If I didn’t know her name I would have guessed it was Patricia Clarkson; her voice is very similar. The cadence and rhythm of her delivery matched Meg pretty well and added to my enjoyment of the story. I won't hesitate when Kate Orsini is reading.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I rarely review

I really never write reviews, but I loved Kate Orsini's narration so much! The story is great and moves along nicely, but her narration put this book on the top of my list! Looking forward to more from the author one the narrator!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Interesting plot, boring characters

I finished this book mainly for the sake of finishing it. Although it is a thriller and parts of it definitely intrigued me, by the end it started getting somewhat repetitive and overdone. The narration wasn't bad, and if the book had a better plot I would probably enjoy her voice. I think my main issue was the character development or lack thereof; I didn't really feel for any of the characters, including the protagonist. The plot was well thought out and somewhat intriguing, but because the characters were pretty boring, it did not pan out the way I wished it would've.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Editing could have made this a great book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book might appeal to someone who needs a story to be very over-written, leaving nothing to the reader's imagination. Carpenter never met an adjective she didn't like, and she repeated descriptions over and over (how many times did Meg have to say Koa smelled like jasmine?).

What was most disappointing about Emily Carpenter’s story?

I actually liked the story-within-a-story technique. What disappointed me was that there was too much extraneous information and description. The mare and foal as symbols of Meg's relationship with her mother was just too trite.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kate Orsini?

Kate Orsini was very good in some parts. But she often lost the characters' voices, so if she was "acting" as Koa for the better part of a speech, all of a sudden she sounded like Meg again, even though Koa was still speaking. So I'm not sure if the fault is hers, or if it was bad producing and editing.

What character would you cut from The Weight of Lies?

Benoit was pointless.

Any additional comments?

This book got me through 2 long days of driving, but fast-forward came in handy in several sections.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful