Nell Pattison

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Nell Pattison for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can't even imagine a world without sound. To not know when someone knocks on your door, your phone rings or most importantly be able to hear if your child cries out for help.

This book made me think about things that I have taken too much for granted and helped me understand the obstacles and ways the deaf community navigate life.

As far as the story goes, I got through almost the whole book trying to figure out who the suspect is. I kept bouncing back and forth and then back again. Loved this book and will look for more books from this author again.… (altro)

Friends Don't Lie by Nell Pattison is a highly recommended domestic psychological thriller.

Izzy (Isabella Butterworth), who works from home, received a few emails that were meant for another woman with the exact same name as her. After a man accosts her outside her home, wondering where Bella was, she begins to look into the other woman's life to try to meet her. Bella Butterworth leads a much more exciting life than Izzy so Izzy begins to obsess over her and finds ways to insert herself into Bella's life, perhaps to warn her that she might be in danger, but under a false name. The two do become friends, but so many questions remain and nothing is exactly as it seems.

The opening to Friends Don't Lie moves at an even, slow pace, however, you will be drawn into the plot. The narrative is told through the points-of-view of different characters, which helps develop them as individuals. None of the characters are particularly likable, but the fact that one character is eventually really stalking another character will grab your attention and hold it while things get switched up in the plot. And the lies, there are most certainly lies and subterfuge in the narrative. There will be a point where you will say "What?" and doubt what you've reading, but the twist will sort itself out.

The plot is really rather pedestrian for most of the novel until the twists which occur later. You will be expecting some twist, however, so when it finally happens most readers will be prepared to figure it out even though it is confusing at first. The second twist then becomes a predicted one. Friends Don't Lie is an entertaining novel. 3.5 rounded up
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/11/friends-dont-lie.html… (altro)

What I have come to realize about this series is that it's less about the plot/storyline and more so the lead heroine, Paige, I dislike.

Not a strong character to begin with, I'm not exactly a fan on how she becomes too emotionally involved in the investigations. If she was a bit more 'detached', so to speak, she would have been better suited for the novel. Also another tidbit that became repetitive and annoying is how Paige is often times connected to at least 1-2 characters who later on become prime suspects in the murder mystery. I understand it's a small town and pretty much everyone knows each other in the deaf community, but c'mon! It was something minor that later turned to a pet peeve as the story progressed.

And let’s not forget to mention how Paige liked to play detective. Last I checked you were an BSL interpreter. Say it with me: in·ter·pret·er. Being fully involved in an investigation and attempting to discover who the murderer is yourself is a bit above your pay rate, don’t you think? Which leads me to point out that this novel probably would have been a stand out if the lead heroine was an actual detective with interpreting skills. The author missed the nail on that one.

Needless to say, this was not an improvement from ‘The Silent House’ and there is not much to rave about with the lackluster plot, eye rolling make believe detective and less than splendid mystery. Obviously with all that being said, there is a high chance of me not picking up on this series again.

… (altro)

This reminded me of a CSI episode I saw back in the day where an entire deaf family was murdered and no one heard a thing. So when I read the blurb, it had immediately piqued my interest. It had promise and though it failed to deliver, the refreshing concept led me drawn to the storyline and the investigation in finding Lexi's murderer. I will precede with the follow-up and hope it's more up my alley.

… (altro)