Seven Lies

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Kay

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan, Pearl Hewitt

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

"Scalpel-sharp writing and a killer concept-dark, clever, compelling and utterly assured." (Lucy Foley, author of The Guest List, a Hello Sunshine x Reese's Book Club pick) 

"Keep the lights on - you'll be turning pages deep into the night with this one." (Harlan Coben, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Run Away)

It all started with just one little lie. But we all know that it never ends there. Because, of course, one lie leads to another....

Growing up, Jane and Marnie shared everything. They knew the other's deepest secrets. They wouldn't have had it any other way. But when Marnie falls in love, things begin to change. 

Because Jane has a secret: She loathes Marnie's wealthy, priggish husband. So, when Marnie asks if she likes him, Jane tells her first lie. After all, even best friends keep some things to themselves. If she had been honest, then perhaps her best friend's husband might still be alive today....

Seven Lies is Jane's confession of the truth - her truth. Compelling, sophisticated, chilling, it's a seductive, hypnotic pause-resister about the tangled, toxic friendships between women, the dark underbelly of obsession, and what we stand to lose in the name of love.

©2020 Elizabeth Kay (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Shockingly intimate and scarily insidious. Seven Lies explores the explosive truths behind obsession, love, and a seemingly perfect friendship." (Lisa Gardner, number one New York Times best-selling author of Never Tell)

"A dark, gripping story with one of the most interesting and compelling narrators I’ve ever encountered. Highly recommended!" (Shari Lapena, the New York Times best-selling author of The Couple Next Door)

"Seven Lies is brilliant." (Clare Mackintosh, New York Times best-selling author of Let Me Lie)

one you'll want to discuss

Hard one to review. A worthy read. Certainly creepy at times. one you'll want to discuss

Just okay, but try if you're bored

Reliable narrator or not?

This book was an ok read at best. It had some twists and a few surprising moments. Sort of. About 2/3 of the way through, it lost a little speed for me and didn't quite fully recover. The ending left a little to be desired. I'm only giving it 2 stars because up against other psychological thrillers that I've read, it really doesn't compare. But I would definitely give it a try if you have nothing else (at all) to read.

Impressive Debut. Sequel Please :)

Fascinating book, and so beautifully written.

—-POTENTIAL SPOILER——

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It’s less a full-on thriller and more a character study of a person with a serious and untreated personality disorder. Absolutely loved every moment and I’m hoping for a sequel!

So so.

There was potential here, but it ultimately fell flat for me. I didn’t like Jane at all, she was unreliable, crazy (but not in an interesting way), and too needy. The seven lies were futile and added nothing to the story.

Dark. Deranged.

First of all, it took 17 chapters before this started to interest me. Then it took on a dark, deranged feeling. If you have any history of paranoia, I do not recommend it. Definitely not a “feel good” story. The narrator did a great job.

Acceptable

Spoiler alert! Story was acceptable and this was definitely an insight into a sociopath or psychopath mind. Not sure which but it was a little unnerving being told from the main character’s point of view. I was truly waiting for Jane to murder the child! Jane was completely creepy and unlikeable.

Just ok

Good storyline and narration. Finished it rather quickly. Wasn’t totally thrilled with the ending. Feels like something was rushed towards the end.

Stopped listening halfway through

Wish I could get the credit back. Forced myself to listen for as long as I did but just wasn’t into the story or narration.

Worst Audible book I’ve had…beyond tedious

This is By Far The Worst book I’ve listened to or read. I never quit a book, but had I known this one was going to continue as it did, I absolutely would have made it my first! I’ve never left a bad review, so I want to say something nice…If it had been condensed to about a third of how long it was, it would have been okay. Sorry, but it was just not good :(

Very Dark

This was slow getting started and very dark. There were several things that weren’t very believable. I finished but only because I had invested so much time.