A gripping psychological thriller with an absolutely brilliant twist

The ending really caught me by surprise. Interesting read. Sometimes slow reading but when the character "speaking" changed, the tempo picked up again. I would recommend to anyone who likes a mystery.

This novel advertised as a "gripping psychological thriller" is neither gripping nor a thriller. It is in fact, a boring sophomoric tale free of interesting characters. The author uses an approach where each chapter is narrated by one of the principal characters. This might be have been effective, but it can't help this story. In addition, navigating around the Britishisms (bollicks, bunk,et.) is really annoying. "White Lies" is not worth the time invested.

White Pies is a so so mystery. The characters are so broadly drawn that it's like reading a children's book. It's by a British writer, so some of the terms used, and the spelling of words are unfamiliar. But the story is so hackneyed that even a clever twist at the end doesn't save it.

The book was everything the reviews said it was as far as I read. But when I got to the third chapter and read Jesus f____ing Christ, I closed the book and deleated it from my Kindle. I had also downloaded another of Lucy Dawson's books, "The Daughter" which I also deleated unread. I have written down the authors name so I won't purchase another of her books. I don't expect this to be added to your comments list but I just wanted it to be known that there are people who will not tolerate this very offensive filth. The author went way too far including Jesus name with this foul language.

Pun intended. It also bothered me that some of the facts, key details actually, changed when it was convenient to the current first person. Like (minor spoiler alert) why would a person investigate the identity of someone they later admitted knowing all along? They wouldn't, obviously. It was just written to throw the reader off intentionally, which isn't good writing.

But overall a good read. Would have given 5 stars if not for the reasons above.

Browsing through selections in the Kindle Store, I came across Lucy Dawson's "White Lies." It looked interesting to me, and the story turned out to be quite engrossing. But I thought it was a true-crime selection. Only later did I realize that it's a novel, a work of fiction. Clearly, I should've paid more attention to the book's subtitle: "A gripping psychological thriller with an absolutely brilliant twist." Moreover, it's riddled with British English idioms and slang, making it feel--for this American reader, at least--quaint and corny at times. Candidly, I'm not interested in fiction of this sort. When it comes to crime narratives and mystery, I want the key principle to be "true life." Still, I have to admit that Dawson is a clever and creative storyteller.

The book started with a bang (literally), a doctor (ahem ahem) Alex goes for girls' weekend to Ibiza to relax and enjoy. What happens in Ibiza should have remained in Ibiza! But unfortunately a night of fun, dance, drinks, and sex (a one-night stand) with a young man Jonathan soon gets exposed. Alex, back home, not only confesses to her husband, finds herself in the midst of a storm in the teapot. That young man who had done the dirty with her, is a 17 year school kid and her patient!!! Horrors!!! End of her  career as a doctor in a trusted position!!! Then the he says, she says begin....

Who is telling the truth? And who is the ultimate liar?

The entire book is written in the form of a testimony narration, initially by the young man Jonathan and is soon followed by the rest of the characters, Alex, her husband Rob and Jonathan's girl friend Cherry. The author, Lucy Dawson has found a very novel, interesting way to present this thriller. Each chapter made me feel like a pendulum swaying tick-tock by the second, as per the character's narration.

I love the author's way of writing. She made every character appear to be earnestly truthful and honest to the core. Jonathan and Alex had their own truths, and I had no way of verifying them. I kept searching for clues in each page. Every chapter made me believe in the veracity of their statement.

I literally breathed through the pages just to know one fact

Who the heck is telling me the truth???

And the truth is finally revealed. I felt a bit let down, as the ending could have been written better. I expected and I really wanted the grand rush of a finale, where the sound of the plot reaches a crescendo and reverberates in my ears, for days to come. But it was a good treble of an ending, a bit of a cop out, but nonetheless, an entertaining read!!