ARC Review: ‘The Best Lies’ by David Ellis
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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The Best Lies
by David EllisPublished by G.P. Putnam's Sons on July 23, 2024
SubGenres: Psychological Thriller, Thriller
Format: eArc
Pages: 416
Source: the publisher
Audience: 18+/Adult
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Bestselling and award-winning author David Ellis delivers a fast-paced, twisty thriller that will surprise readers at every turn.
Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family's closet. He's also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate.
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.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss, Leo’s trapped in a corner. But he has more secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play …
The Best Lies is the first book I’ve read by David Ellis, and after reading it, I definitely need to check out his backlist. The Best Lies is told in multi-POV from mainly three characters: Leo, Andi, and Chris. Each character will play an intricate part in the book, and if you think you’ve figured out what’s happening, think again because David will throw you twists and turns up until the very end.
My head was spinning by the time I finished this book, but in a good way. I appreciated the short chapters and the fast-paced reading of the book. I definitely recommend paying attention while reading this book since there are multiple timelines explaining what leads up to why Leo is being accused of murder, which is how the book starts. Leo had to be my favorite character due to everything he endured from his past and the present day, which David definitely touches on with the flashbacks and such. Leo is one character who definitely knows how to tell the best lies, and you’ll understand once you read this book.
My only complaint is that some of the story became repetitive at times. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller and gave it four stars. I don’t want to risk spoiling anything, but just know that reading the synopsis alone won’t give you full details about what to expect in this book. There is so much else that happens in this book, and it all involves Leo getting the justice he always wanted.
If you enjoy reading psychological thrillers with corporate espionage and twists and turns, especially at the end, you should definitely check out this book.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. It will help sponsor future giveaways but costs you nothing extra. You can read the full disclosure underneath the Privacy Policy.
About David Ellis
David Ellis is a lawyer and the Edgar Allan Poe Award winner for Best First Novel for Line of Vision. Ellis attended Northwestern Law School and began his legal career in private practice in Chicago in 1993. He served as the House Prosecutor who tried and convicted Illinois Governor Blagojevich in the Impeachment Trial before the Illinois Senate. He was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2014 and took office December 1, 2014. Ellis currently lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children.
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