A Suitable Lie
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3.7 • 83 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Recently widowed and caring for his young son, Andy Boyd thinks his life is over, until he meets the beautiful, enigmatic Anna. And that was his first mistake ... A startling, emotive and stark psychological thriller from one of Scotland's bestselling crime writers...
'A stark, gripping storyline' Scots
'Strong female characters, honest, pithy dialogue and ever-present empathy for the victims make this a deeply satisfying read' Sunday Times
'Vivid, visceral and compulsive' Ian Rankin
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Some secrets should never be kept...
Andy Boyd thinks he is the luckiest man alive. Widowed with a young child, after his wife dies in childbirth, he is certain that he will never again experience true love. Then he meets Anna. Feisty, fun and beautiful, she's his perfect match ... and she loves his son like he is her own.
When Andy ends up in the hospital on his wedding night, he receives his first clue that Anna is not all that she seems. Desperate for that happy-ever-after, he ignores it. A dangerous mistake that could cost him everything.
A brave, deeply moving, page-turning psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie marks a stunning departure for one of Scotland's finest crime writers, exploring the lengths people will go to hide their deepest secrets, even if it kills them...
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'Malone tackles the taboo subject of female violence against men with insight and compassion (for Anna is no one-dimensional witch), while creating all the hallmarks of a fine, page-turning psychological thriller' Daily Mail
'A mystery involving some disturbing account anomalies at Andy's bank is appropriately overshadowed by Malone's painful depiction of a man in turmoil' Publishers Weekly
'It's a tough high-wire act, balancing believability with surprise, but the author pulls it off with aplomb. Excellent stuff' Doug Johnstone, The Big Issue
'Disturbing but compulsive ... I loved it' Martina Cole
'Bristling with unease, this is domestic noir at its very darkest, twisting the marriage thriller into a new and troubling shape' Eva Dolan
'A deeply personal thriller that will keep the reader turning those pages, with twists and turns designed to keep the heart pumping' Russel D. McLean
'A tightly wound page-turner with real emotional punch' Rod Reynolds
'A dark and unnerving psychological thriller that draws you deep into the lives of the characters and refuse to let go' Caroline Mitchell
'A chilling tale of the unexpected that journeys right into the dark heart of domesticity' Marnie Riches
'Emotionally intelligent and engaging' Caro Ramsay
'A story that I won't forget in a hurry. Malone is a massive talent' Luca Veste
'A disturbing and realistic portrayal of domestic noir with a twist ... a shocking yet compelling read' Mel Sherratt
'Malone perfectly balances storytelling with a brutal commentary on a dysfunctional relationship' Sarah Ward
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
British author Malone (Blood Tears) paints a moving and plausible portrait of a deeply troubled marriage in this thriller set in Scotland in 1996. Andy Boyd, an affable bank manager in the small community of Ayr, has avoided socializing after his beloved wife, Patricia, died giving birth to their son. Then he allows his brother to persuade him to have a night out at a pub, where Andy meets and falls for Anna Reid, who turns out to be a new employee at his bank. After less than two months, Andy pops the question, and they marry, despite his mother's reservations about Anna. Her concerns are validated when, on the wedding night, Anna breaks his nose, the first of many violent acts she directs against her husband. Andy, who forces himself to restrain from retaliating, keeps hoping that Anna will somehow get her anger under control. A mystery involving some disturbing account anomalies at Andy's bank is appropriately overshadowed by Malone's painful depiction of a man in turmoil.
Customer Reviews
A Suitable Lie
Super good read.
Not a topic I'd read before.
So dry and boring
This is advertised as a thriller but by page 150 the author still described how the wife was still abusive husband. Nothing exciting happen that built up to any real story line. I never had to quit a book but it was so boring.
A suitable lie
Although the book’s topic was worthy of attention, the execution lacked any sense of experience or finesse. Many parts were cringe-inducing. Sad to say that this smacked of the draft of a first novel that should have stayed in a drawer. I am so surprised it got published. It needed more layers to it and a balance of the elements of fiction. There was hardly any description. Way too much introspection. Very repetitive. I’d give this one a miss.