Life Sentences

A writer discovers the truth about her past in this haunting and multi-layered thriller from the multi-award-winning New York Times bestseller.

What if you found out that the central story of your life was a lie?

A successful writer returns to her hometown of Baltimore on the hunt for new material and stumbles into the middle of a mystery which takes her back to her schooldays.

Former classmate Callie Jenkins hit the headlines when she was jailed for 7 years having refused to give up the whereabouts of her missing child. But why did she remain silent? And whatever happened to the little boy?

Cassandra thinks she can find out. But in the course of her investigation she finds out that her own history might be far from the truth…

Reviews

‘Laura Lippman’s stories aren’t just mysteries; they are deeply moving explorations of the human heart. She is quite simply one of the best crime novelists writing today.’ Tess Gerritsen

‘I love her books.’ Harlen Coben

‘A writer at the peak of her powers.’ Washington Post

‘Lippman's [demonstartes that the] best action is inside her characters' minds … Lippman fans won't be disappointed .’
Kirkus Reviews

‘One of the most distinctive voices in contemporary fiction…Lippman has once more challenged, realigned and ultimately transcended the boundaries of genre.’New York Observer

‘Succeeds brilliantly…Lippman is in total command of her material…a mystery so taut the reader is nearly afraid to keep going—and simultaneously powerless to stop.’ People Magazine

‘From its gripping opening pages about a burned-out author's bookstore reading, Laura Lippman's Life Sentences may be the most absorbing, entertaining mystery published in the last year. Lippman does it all, from creating vivid, three-dimensional characters, to painting a beautifully detailed portrait of her hometown, Baltimore, to crafting a plot that drives readers along at a fast clip while simultaneously building suspense as one dramatic revelation leads to another.’ Boston Globe

'A terrific crime writer.'Daily Mail

‘Intricate and witty.’ Publisher’s Weekly

‘A gripping novel.’Closer

About the author

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at the Baltimore Sun. Her novels have won almost every prize given for crime fiction in the United States, including the Edgar, Anthony, Nero Wolfe and Agatha awards. She lives in Baltimore with her husband, the writer David Simon who created hit TV series The Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street.