Lies Inside
by Lindsey GrayeBook
Published December 2011 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
ISBN 9781612130095
Read June 2011
Lies Inside was published by the publishing house I work for and I tried not to let that influence my review.
When I was working on the catalog last year for the publishing house, I saw the summary for Lies Inside. I was excited about it, it sounded just like my kind of book. It has taken me a while to get around to reading it. After reading several dark stories, I needed a break and was reading a bit more chick-lit type novels. Well, the sun is shining brightly and I'm ready to dive back into my favorite genre (you'll notice from my Monday reading post that I have several darker type stories on my plate).
Lies Inside started off a bit rocky for me. I felt the pace of the story was a little off. I like when an author takes time to set up the story and provide a backdrop for where the story is going. But as you know I also sometimes complain that an author has drawn it out too much (you know, when I said I struggled with the first 100 pages). So I recognize that finding a balance is hard to do. Also I know from reading other reviews of books I have also read that many readers just want to jump right into the action.
And Lindsey does a great job of building momentum to the climax and keeping the readers engaged in the story. I hated having to put the book down. I actually was glad that my lunch buddy wasn't available two days last week for lunch (I might have even secretly wished she had other plans), because I couldn't wait to pick up the book again. I often have several books going at the same time and part of the way I keep them straight is when I read them. Books on my Nook are read when I'm out and about - lunch, walking to & from work, standing in line, waiting for the pool to open, etc. I was so disappointed on Thursday when I glance at the clock and noticed my lunch break was over. Finn and Lucy had just been abducted and I had to know what was going to happen.
On my way to lunch on Friday, the radio station I was listening to had a guest on from a local group that works with families and victims of sexual child abuse. She was talking about how parents should react when their child tells them they have been abused. Also statistics show that most child sexual abuse is done by someone the child and/or family knows. It was apt timing for me to hear this report as Lies Inside deals with this very topic. Lindsey Gray does an excellent job of handling this sensitive subject in a realistic way. I hope readers of Lies Inside will find encouragement to speak up if they have found themselves in this situation.
Though the topic is dark, there is a lightness to the story line to balance it out. The building romance between Lucy and Finn is probably what all childhood sweathearts hope for. The tender moments between them give you a moment to catch your breath, but also quickly turn the page to see how it all turns out. I'm anxious to read Lindsey Gray's second novel, Redemption
, though it isn't in a genre I typically like to read.
Posts
Great review! It isn't my type of book (I prefer sunshine and rainbows, HEA stuff ya know), but I appreciate that the author handled a difficult situation with finesse.
ReplyDeleteLoved the comment about wishing your co-worker had other plans for lunch. I have so been there! :)
Cyndi Tefft
I haven't heard of this book but, I wouldn't mind reading it. I have a hard time finding a happy medium as well as far as pace wise.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I didn't have to go back to work after lunch especially when my book is at the climax of the story.
Neri @ In The Name Of Books
I know what you mean about taking a break from dark stories, I do the same. I hate reading at work because I have the worst luck with where the book leaves off. Something exciting is always happening when I have to put it down.
ReplyDelete