Saturday, June 20, 2015

Outstanding Debut Psychological Thriller from Germany


5 of 5 stars


Prominent German screenwriter Sascha Arango's debut novel The Truth and Other Lies is a fantastic psychological thriller in every sense of the word.  Henry Hayden is a liar, a womanizer,  and a con man. He's also a very successful author, publishing his wife's work under his own name.

Her unfortunate death couldn't occur at a worse time for Henry. His mistress is pregnant. His publisher is in financial trouble and anxiously awaiting his now incomplete novel. He's being pursued by a figure from his past. And the inexorable Detective Jenssen has been assigned to investigate his wife's death.


Henry's rich inner dialogue as he attempts to keep the pieces of his deliberately constructed life together is masterful.  He is heartbroken and pitiful, and totally despicable. The truths, half-truths, and outright lies are woven together seamlessly. Every turn of the page could reveal Henry's end.


A genuine 5 star read.


Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.