The Best Lies

By: David Ellis

Narrated by: Vas Eli, Emana Rachelle, Lee Osorio, Natasha Soudek, Philip Hernandez

A USA TODAY Bestseller

Bestselling and award-winning author David Ellis delivers a fast-paced, twisty thriller that will surprise readers at every turn.

Leo Balanoff is a crusading attorney with unthinkable skeletons in his closet. He's also a diagnosed pathological liar. When a predatory gangster with a long list of victims is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says in his defense. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the gangster's even more lethal boss.

Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and "the one who got away." Anyone else forced to walk this tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss would fail. But this isn't Leo's first balancing act, and he still has a few tricks up his sleeve...

Critic reviews

“The Best Lies is the best book I’ve read in a long time; a complicated, high-stakes thriller in which all the characters have something to win and everything to lose. With an absolutely unpredictable plot and an ending that was as surprising as it was satisfying, I raced through this book in a single sitting. Just read it!” — Karen Dionne, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Marsh King's Daughter

“The Best Lies is an addictive, whip-smart thriller. David Ellis is a master at writing keep-you-up-all-night books, and this is no exception.” — Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of A Twisted Love Story

“It’s the very rare book that elicits such violent yet positive physical reactions from me. The Best Lies is truly one of the smartest, most propulsive mysteries I’ve ever read….It’s really hard to talk in any depth about how amazing this book is without giving away any spoilers. Let’s just say that this is way more than a story of the collision between industrial espionage and a vicious crime syndicate. It’s smart, humorous, heartfelt, and written so propulsively that it’s impossible to put down. I adored this book so much that it’s one of my favorites of 2024, and hopefully will be one of yours, too.” — Criminal Element

“It is truly the perfect thriller: twisty, surprising, and not at all predictable….It’s one of those books where everything is connected in a way that makes finishing it feel like getting a gift wrapped up in a bow. If you’re looking for your next favorite thriller, you will not be disappointed in this.” — The EveryGirl

“David Ellis returns with a gripping thriller featuring a very slippery truth…. Law & Order gets a cynical twist, with plenty of drama to keep the pages turning until the sun rises." — Seattle Times

"Ellis proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves the multiple intricate plotlines to an ultimate collision course. He incrementally ratchets up the tension and intrigue until the puzzle pieces come crashing together in an exhilarating denouement. This action-packed narrative is full of secrets and deceptions that force the reader to turn each page faster." — Mystery & Suspense

"[One] of the best rollercoaster rides any of us has been lucky enough to take in a long, long time." — Anniston Star

The writing is genius

Some of the smartest writing. My brain feels like it goes 900 miles per minute so I can’t imagine how this author feels. The story is sad funny smart and very important with everything going on right now. I’m going to have to read all of his books cuz look closer was fantastic too

Just okay

I loved some of his other work this was just okay… uhm not bad not great… worth listening to to for sure.

Amazing!!!!!!

It had a slow start, but don’t let that discourage you from sticking with it. I ended up really enjoying the story, and the narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this book!

Enjoyable, fast paced, twisty

Enjoyed it very much. Listened in one sitting at 2x speed. Decent narration. the time bouncing was clear and easy to follow. Some predictable twists for the sake of having twists.
If you go into it wanting a mindless, decent book with an interesting lead character it checks those boxes.

Addictive!!

This book might have it all: organized crime, legal procedures, undercover missions, national security threats, corporate espionage, and even some romance. If you’re wondering how all of that fits into a single story, let me tell you—the twists and turns gave me whiplash! There was no guessing where Leo was headed in this crazy tale—I kept trying and failing. Thankfully, the chapters were short, because I rewound a few times to make sure I heard correctly.

The plot David Ellis delivers is fast-paced and action-packed, yet incredibly intricate! I highly recommend this if you enjoy twisty thrillers. Absolutely addictive!