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The Best Lies
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 …
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 …
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2024
About the author
David Ellis
73 books1,332 followersDavid 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.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
July 23, 2024
“Look Closer” was my 2022 THRILLER of the year and my first time reading this author.
So, to say that “The Best Lies” was one of most anticipated books for 2024 might be an understatement. But, what I did not realize was that “Look Closer” may have been atypical for the author stylistically.
When Cyrus Balik, a ruthless drug dealer and human trafficker is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, Leo Balanoff has a decision to make-risk his life going undercover for the Feds or head straight to prison for murder?
Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but who should he fear more? The ambitious FBI agent, Chris Roberti who is his handler, or Cyrus’s cruel, calculating crime boss, Nico Katsaros?
And, how does his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away” tie into this case?
The story alternates between the POV’s of Leo, Chris and Andi, in the present day, with flashbacks to fill in the backstories.
So, I may end up being an OUTLIER for this book, but I just DO NOT personally enjoy books about mobsters and sting operations.
And 416 pages of this was way too lengthy for me.
The story seems to take a LONG time to set up, and there are a lot of minor characters to keep track of.
Honestly, I was bored and still didn’t feel invested at the 60% mark. There ARE some surprises in the last 40% but they weren’t exciting enough to raise this past a three star (average) rating for me.
As always, read a sample of reviews to see if this is a better fit for you. If you enjoy stories about gangsters and assassins, you may love this!?
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
So, to say that “The Best Lies” was one of most anticipated books for 2024 might be an understatement. But, what I did not realize was that “Look Closer” may have been atypical for the author stylistically.
When Cyrus Balik, a ruthless drug dealer and human trafficker is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, Leo Balanoff has a decision to make-risk his life going undercover for the Feds or head straight to prison for murder?
Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but who should he fear more? The ambitious FBI agent, Chris Roberti who is his handler, or Cyrus’s cruel, calculating crime boss, Nico Katsaros?
And, how does his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away” tie into this case?
The story alternates between the POV’s of Leo, Chris and Andi, in the present day, with flashbacks to fill in the backstories.
So, I may end up being an OUTLIER for this book, but I just DO NOT personally enjoy books about mobsters and sting operations.
And 416 pages of this was way too lengthy for me.
The story seems to take a LONG time to set up, and there are a lot of minor characters to keep track of.
Honestly, I was bored and still didn’t feel invested at the 60% mark. There ARE some surprises in the last 40% but they weren’t exciting enough to raise this past a three star (average) rating for me.
As always, read a sample of reviews to see if this is a better fit for you. If you enjoy stories about gangsters and assassins, you may love this!?
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
April 4, 2024
It’s fitting that this book will be released just days before the Summer Olympics begin, because it has more twists and flips than an elite gymnast! The story is not without flaws, but I give it a perfect 10 on that skill.
I’m not even going to attempt any real run-down of the plot, because frankly there are too many characters and it’s too intricate a plot to even begin to explain it, and honestly you’ll be so much better served going into this as blind as possible, but I’ll give you a little nibble at least.
Do you like stories about spies, undercover agents, corporate espionage, national security, the Black Market and how someone with questionable ethics and a strong sense of loyalty behaves when push comes to shove?
Meet Leo Balanoff, an altruistic but ethically-challenged Chicago lawyer who is determined to right the wrongs he sees regardless of the personal cost. One price he’s already paid is a broken engagement to his ex, Andi (Andrea) Piotrowski, a former cop and current head of security for a medical laboratory working on a top-secret, highly lucrative breakthrough for the treatment of lung cancer. With a potential windfall at stake for the owner of this patent, foreign entities are determined to get their hands on it first. Just who’s trying to protect it and who’s trying to steal it? That’s where things get complicated!
Let’s just say it’s a big, messy stew of FBI agents, local cops, gangsters, American and Chinese operatives and people like Leo who get pulled into one of the most convoluted, twisty plots I’ve read in quite some time! I still have a bit of reader’s whiplash.
A number of my friends haven’t been too thrilled with it, and I can understand their points of view. For anyone who read Ellis’ previous book Look Closer, this is a VERY different story. It’s kind of like when many loved Alex Finlay’s first couple books and then he switched gears and wrote What Have We Done. I loved that book, but for many friends they didn’t like how different it was in nature to his first two. Where I think this one matches Ellis’ first book is in how well he plays a twist and how deliciously complicated his characters are. As with his previous book, you just can’t trust anything you see and I love that!
This story played like a movie in my mind, and I could see it working well on the big screen for those who enjoy mystery-thrillers with suspense and political intrigue. I didn’t love it as much as his previous book, but it truly grew on me as I went along and watching all the threads of the story cleverly come together in the end absolutely made it worth my time!
★★★★
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons, NetGalley and author David Ellis for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published July 23, 2024
I’m not even going to attempt any real run-down of the plot, because frankly there are too many characters and it’s too intricate a plot to even begin to explain it, and honestly you’ll be so much better served going into this as blind as possible, but I’ll give you a little nibble at least.
Do you like stories about spies, undercover agents, corporate espionage, national security, the Black Market and how someone with questionable ethics and a strong sense of loyalty behaves when push comes to shove?
Meet Leo Balanoff, an altruistic but ethically-challenged Chicago lawyer who is determined to right the wrongs he sees regardless of the personal cost. One price he’s already paid is a broken engagement to his ex, Andi (Andrea) Piotrowski, a former cop and current head of security for a medical laboratory working on a top-secret, highly lucrative breakthrough for the treatment of lung cancer. With a potential windfall at stake for the owner of this patent, foreign entities are determined to get their hands on it first. Just who’s trying to protect it and who’s trying to steal it? That’s where things get complicated!
Let’s just say it’s a big, messy stew of FBI agents, local cops, gangsters, American and Chinese operatives and people like Leo who get pulled into one of the most convoluted, twisty plots I’ve read in quite some time! I still have a bit of reader’s whiplash.
A number of my friends haven’t been too thrilled with it, and I can understand their points of view. For anyone who read Ellis’ previous book Look Closer, this is a VERY different story. It’s kind of like when many loved Alex Finlay’s first couple books and then he switched gears and wrote What Have We Done. I loved that book, but for many friends they didn’t like how different it was in nature to his first two. Where I think this one matches Ellis’ first book is in how well he plays a twist and how deliciously complicated his characters are. As with his previous book, you just can’t trust anything you see and I love that!
This story played like a movie in my mind, and I could see it working well on the big screen for those who enjoy mystery-thrillers with suspense and political intrigue. I didn’t love it as much as his previous book, but it truly grew on me as I went along and watching all the threads of the story cleverly come together in the end absolutely made it worth my time!
★★★★
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons, NetGalley and author David Ellis for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published July 23, 2024
March 26, 2024
Wow, five times over! My mind feels like it's been blown away after finishing the last chapter of the book. I'm still trying to gather my thoughts, with only a few gray cells left standing, to write a review. This extra twisty thriller completely rocked my world.
However, I'm not sure anything I write could do justice to my pure admiration. I've definitely become a dedicated fan of the author. I thoroughly enjoyed his previous thriller, but I never imagined he could write something even better. In this book, he had me gasping, shocked, and uncomfortable several times with twists hidden inside other smart twists that you never see coming.
He takes you on an action-packed, heart-throbbing ride into the crime world, spanning different timelines and unreliable narrations. It all starts with his complex hero, Leo Balanoff: a man who can be described as an enigma. His life story is a combination of lies, leading to his suspension from his job as a lawyer for being considered a pathological liar. From the first chapter, you suspect he might be a murderer and a conman, yet you find yourself rooting for him despite his many negative qualities.
As you delve deeper, you uncover his painful childhood and his connections to the dangerous criminal, Cyrus Balik. Alongside him is his love of his life, ex-cop turned corporate security member, Andi Piptriwski, the one who got away. Leo finds himself surrounded by people who are better liars and more dangerous than himself. Can he save himself from his seemingly inevitable demise?
Just read on to discover who the better liar is and who's the best ringmaster in this dangerous game. Be prepared for sucker punches and hold your jaw tight because some chapters will leave you gasping with twists you never saw coming.
A quick plot recap: Leo Balanoff, an attorney who recently returned to his job after a five-year suspension, finds himself the prime suspect in the case of ruthless human trafficker, rapist, and drug lord Cyrus Balik. His fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, and his DNA is found on the victim. Leo's past assault on a police officer, which ended with only a warning, put his DNA in the system, making it easier for officers to convict him.
FBI agent Chris Roberti, a cancer survivor, sees this case as an opportunity to catch the bigger fish: Nico Katsaros, the invisible boss behind Cyrus Balik. Leo becomes the key pawn in a plan to steal a formula that could cure cancer from Quigley Crowe International, a private medical technology company, and sell it to the Chinese Government. This is the same company where Andi, Leo's former love, now works. Leo doesn't want to go to jail, and he also needs to protect the son of a deceased client, who is being hunted by dangerous individuals. Can Leo trust FBI agent Chris, who may have his own secret agenda, or Andi, who may have her own secrets? But most importantly, can he even trust himself, a man considered a pathological liar whose life story is a web of ugly lies? Let the games begin, and may the smartest one emerge victorious!
Overall, I can't express how much I enjoyed this book! It's by far my favorite psychological thriller of the year, and I highly recommend reading it as soon as possible. Don't just add it to your TBR list, dive right in!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with this amazing book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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However, I'm not sure anything I write could do justice to my pure admiration. I've definitely become a dedicated fan of the author. I thoroughly enjoyed his previous thriller, but I never imagined he could write something even better. In this book, he had me gasping, shocked, and uncomfortable several times with twists hidden inside other smart twists that you never see coming.
He takes you on an action-packed, heart-throbbing ride into the crime world, spanning different timelines and unreliable narrations. It all starts with his complex hero, Leo Balanoff: a man who can be described as an enigma. His life story is a combination of lies, leading to his suspension from his job as a lawyer for being considered a pathological liar. From the first chapter, you suspect he might be a murderer and a conman, yet you find yourself rooting for him despite his many negative qualities.
As you delve deeper, you uncover his painful childhood and his connections to the dangerous criminal, Cyrus Balik. Alongside him is his love of his life, ex-cop turned corporate security member, Andi Piptriwski, the one who got away. Leo finds himself surrounded by people who are better liars and more dangerous than himself. Can he save himself from his seemingly inevitable demise?
Just read on to discover who the better liar is and who's the best ringmaster in this dangerous game. Be prepared for sucker punches and hold your jaw tight because some chapters will leave you gasping with twists you never saw coming.
A quick plot recap: Leo Balanoff, an attorney who recently returned to his job after a five-year suspension, finds himself the prime suspect in the case of ruthless human trafficker, rapist, and drug lord Cyrus Balik. His fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, and his DNA is found on the victim. Leo's past assault on a police officer, which ended with only a warning, put his DNA in the system, making it easier for officers to convict him.
FBI agent Chris Roberti, a cancer survivor, sees this case as an opportunity to catch the bigger fish: Nico Katsaros, the invisible boss behind Cyrus Balik. Leo becomes the key pawn in a plan to steal a formula that could cure cancer from Quigley Crowe International, a private medical technology company, and sell it to the Chinese Government. This is the same company where Andi, Leo's former love, now works. Leo doesn't want to go to jail, and he also needs to protect the son of a deceased client, who is being hunted by dangerous individuals. Can Leo trust FBI agent Chris, who may have his own secret agenda, or Andi, who may have her own secrets? But most importantly, can he even trust himself, a man considered a pathological liar whose life story is a web of ugly lies? Let the games begin, and may the smartest one emerge victorious!
Overall, I can't express how much I enjoyed this book! It's by far my favorite psychological thriller of the year, and I highly recommend reading it as soon as possible. Don't just add it to your TBR list, dive right in!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with this amazing book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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June 17, 2024
Like so many friends here, I LOVED this author's novel, Look Closer, from 2023! 😱
This one was a bit of a struggle for me. It took awhile to really "get into" and there were many characters (police related) to keep up with! Everyone seemed to have some connection that would be revealed at the end.
Leo's POV was my favorite and he was quite the character! The last chapters really picked up the pace and I was happy with how the end played out. There were plenty of flashbacks, reveals, unreliable narrators and some very unsavory characters (drug cartels, etc,) Leo is dealing with the FBI and not feeling comfortable with what they are asking him to do (who trusts them anymore)??
I enjoyed (didn't love), I think those who enjoy crime fiction and don't mind a slower build-up, might love it.
3.5 STARS
Thanks to NG for my ARC. This one is OUT July 23, 2024
This one was a bit of a struggle for me. It took awhile to really "get into" and there were many characters (police related) to keep up with! Everyone seemed to have some connection that would be revealed at the end.
Leo's POV was my favorite and he was quite the character! The last chapters really picked up the pace and I was happy with how the end played out. There were plenty of flashbacks, reveals, unreliable narrators and some very unsavory characters (drug cartels, etc,) Leo is dealing with the FBI and not feeling comfortable with what they are asking him to do (who trusts them anymore)??
I enjoyed (didn't love), I think those who enjoy crime fiction and don't mind a slower build-up, might love it.
3.5 STARS
Thanks to NG for my ARC. This one is OUT July 23, 2024
March 23, 2024
There were a lot of lies in this book, but were they The Best Lies???? This book is packed full of secrets, lies, revelations, and twists.
Leo Balanoff, an attorney, is a pathological liar who is determined to see justice at any cost. When a notorious criminal drug dealer is found dead with Leo's fingerprints on the murder weapon, will he be believed, or will he be the FBI's best chance at bringing down a drug syndicate? Accepting the offer brings him back into the orbit of his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former police officer.
David Ellis threw in everything but the kitchen sink into this book. I think perhaps he threw in a little too much. I enjoyed the first half of the book but found the second half of the book to be a little much.
This book is told through the POV's of three characters. There are also flashes to the past where readers get to know the characters in their early years. This helps to provide their current motivations and relationships.
The Best Lies did have a nice amount of twists, turns, and reveals. This book also has a fair amount of action, but it wasn't enough to fully win me over. I enjoyed Look Closer and went into this book with high hopes. I would put this book in the liked but didn't love category. I do look forward to reading more of David Ellis's books in the future.
3.5 stars
**This was a buddy read with Mary Beth and Dorie. Please read their wonderful reviews as well to get their impressions of The Best Lies.
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Leo Balanoff, an attorney, is a pathological liar who is determined to see justice at any cost. When a notorious criminal drug dealer is found dead with Leo's fingerprints on the murder weapon, will he be believed, or will he be the FBI's best chance at bringing down a drug syndicate? Accepting the offer brings him back into the orbit of his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former police officer.
David Ellis threw in everything but the kitchen sink into this book. I think perhaps he threw in a little too much. I enjoyed the first half of the book but found the second half of the book to be a little much.
This book is told through the POV's of three characters. There are also flashes to the past where readers get to know the characters in their early years. This helps to provide their current motivations and relationships.
The Best Lies did have a nice amount of twists, turns, and reveals. This book also has a fair amount of action, but it wasn't enough to fully win me over. I enjoyed Look Closer and went into this book with high hopes. I would put this book in the liked but didn't love category. I do look forward to reading more of David Ellis's books in the future.
3.5 stars
**This was a buddy read with Mary Beth and Dorie. Please read their wonderful reviews as well to get their impressions of The Best Lies.
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
July 23, 2024
Happy publication day!
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ Illinois
Publication date ~ July 23, 2024
Est Page Count ~379 (95 chapters)
Audio length ~ 13 hours
Narrators ~ Vas Eli, Emana Rachelle, Lee Osorio, Natasha Soudek, Philip Hernandez
POV ~ single 1st, present tense & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, short chapters/page breaks, murder, gangsters, espionage, mentions of human trafficking and cancer
Leo is an attorney accused of murder. He might have a way to stay out of prison if he helps the FBI. I mostly enjoyed his character. He was a bit much with his love of prime numbers, but he provided enough humor that I could overlook that. One thing is for sure, he will protect his brother, Trace, at all costs.
Chris is a FBI agent and a cancer survivor.
Andi is a former cop, now a deputy director of security. She's also Leo's ex-girlfriend.
We hear from Marilyn, Leo's mom, a few times.
There is a lot going on and you can try to pay attention, but there are twists after twists after twists. Luckily they were doled out nicely and not wam wam wam smacking me in the face all at once, which I liked. The multiple timelines are easy to follow along with. It’s a bit repetitive and on the longer side, but I appreciated the short chapters and page breaks to keep the pace steady. I'd recommend it if you like an action packed thriller with some espionage and a character that strives for justice.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference. Seems like it would be good with a full cast of narrators.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ Illinois
Publication date ~ July 23, 2024
Est Page Count ~379 (95 chapters)
Audio length ~ 13 hours
Narrators ~ Vas Eli, Emana Rachelle, Lee Osorio, Natasha Soudek, Philip Hernandez
POV ~ single 1st, present tense & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, short chapters/page breaks, murder, gangsters, espionage, mentions of human trafficking and cancer
Leo is an attorney accused of murder. He might have a way to stay out of prison if he helps the FBI. I mostly enjoyed his character. He was a bit much with his love of prime numbers, but he provided enough humor that I could overlook that. One thing is for sure, he will protect his brother, Trace, at all costs.
Chris is a FBI agent and a cancer survivor.
Andi is a former cop, now a deputy director of security. She's also Leo's ex-girlfriend.
We hear from Marilyn, Leo's mom, a few times.
There is a lot going on and you can try to pay attention, but there are twists after twists after twists. Luckily they were doled out nicely and not wam wam wam smacking me in the face all at once, which I liked. The multiple timelines are easy to follow along with. It’s a bit repetitive and on the longer side, but I appreciated the short chapters and page breaks to keep the pace steady. I'd recommend it if you like an action packed thriller with some espionage and a character that strives for justice.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference. Seems like it would be good with a full cast of narrators.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
August 3, 2024
Please don’t read the synopsis for this book. Although not one that presents any spoilers per se, the head games were so much better going in completely blind. That said, though, if you must check it out before diving into this phenomenal novel, you’ll find the publisher provided blurb at the end of my review…
OHHHEMMMGEEE! I knew going into The Best Lies that it was going to be good. I mean, David Ellis wrote it, after all. But I had no clue that it was going to be so mind-blowingly stellar. From the twisty, twisty plot to the dynamite characters, there wasn’t a piece to this puzzle that didn’t make me want to shout from the rafters. The plot itself was a finely tuned masterpiece that easily took my breath away as I flew through the pages. In short, the whole thing was downright perfection.
How exactly was the storyline so utterly dazzling? Complex yet not confusing in the slightest, the multiple POVs and decade-jumping flashbacks meant for a deep look beneath the surface of this skillfully orchestrated premise. But the surprises were easily the star of the show. With twists hidden within twists, the deliciously shrewd plot was wholly beyond my armchair sleuthing. More than once I was caught by my family shouting “Wait, WHAT?!” as the rug was pulled right out from under me in the best possible way.
While the plot was hardly character-driven, the slew of personas still had me in the palm of their hands. With a whole host of individuals skilled at the deft act of deception, pathological liar Leo had quite the job staying one step ahead. But it was the rest of the cast that rounded out this slam dunk success. From the supposed good guys to the out-and-out villains, no one was who they seemed to be at the outset. In short, they ALL got a serious side-eye from me. Even Leo himself.
Done and dusted, I am still completely awe. With more going on behind the scenes than I could’ve ever imagined, the plot was beyond action-packed and propulsive. Smart and suspenseful, it was Ellis at his best thanks to his trademark immersive storytelling and positively wicked twists. Sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers of the year, it should most definitely be your next must read novel. So go ahead. Pre-order it now. You won’t regret. I promise. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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
Thank you to David Ellis and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 23, 2024
Trigger warning: human trafficking, espionage, mention of: carbon monoxide poisoning
OHHHEMMMGEEE! I knew going into The Best Lies that it was going to be good. I mean, David Ellis wrote it, after all. But I had no clue that it was going to be so mind-blowingly stellar. From the twisty, twisty plot to the dynamite characters, there wasn’t a piece to this puzzle that didn’t make me want to shout from the rafters. The plot itself was a finely tuned masterpiece that easily took my breath away as I flew through the pages. In short, the whole thing was downright perfection.
How exactly was the storyline so utterly dazzling? Complex yet not confusing in the slightest, the multiple POVs and decade-jumping flashbacks meant for a deep look beneath the surface of this skillfully orchestrated premise. But the surprises were easily the star of the show. With twists hidden within twists, the deliciously shrewd plot was wholly beyond my armchair sleuthing. More than once I was caught by my family shouting “Wait, WHAT?!” as the rug was pulled right out from under me in the best possible way.
While the plot was hardly character-driven, the slew of personas still had me in the palm of their hands. With a whole host of individuals skilled at the deft act of deception, pathological liar Leo had quite the job staying one step ahead. But it was the rest of the cast that rounded out this slam dunk success. From the supposed good guys to the out-and-out villains, no one was who they seemed to be at the outset. In short, they ALL got a serious side-eye from me. Even Leo himself.
Done and dusted, I am still completely awe. With more going on behind the scenes than I could’ve ever imagined, the plot was beyond action-packed and propulsive. Smart and suspenseful, it was Ellis at his best thanks to his trademark immersive storytelling and positively wicked twists. Sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers of the year, it should most definitely be your next must read novel. So go ahead. Pre-order it now. You won’t regret. I promise. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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
Thank you to David Ellis and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 23, 2024
Trigger warning: human trafficking, espionage, mention of: carbon monoxide poisoning
Want to read
July 27, 2024 I loved David Ellis's book - Look Closer so I'm super excited to jump into this one. Also looking forward to going back and reading the novels he co-authored with James Patterson. Quickly becoming a favorite...🤩
╰⪼ Multiple POV
╰⪼ Short chapters
╰⪼ Crime Thriller
╰⪼ Undercover/Espionage
╰⪼ Multi-Timeline
╰⪼ Police Procedurals
╰⪼ Cork-Screw Turns
╰⪼ Multiple POV
╰⪼ Short chapters
╰⪼ Crime Thriller
╰⪼ Undercover/Espionage
╰⪼ Multi-Timeline
╰⪼ Police Procedurals
╰⪼ Cork-Screw Turns
July 13, 2024
4.5⭐️ Leo Balanoff is a pathological liar and a justice-seeking attorney caught in the middle of a crime syndicate. As the FBI's only real shot at bringing down this treacherous group, Leo must decide if he would rather risk his life to help them or go to prison for murder. Soon Leo's new role brings him back into the orbit of his ex, former cop Andi Piotrowski, who might just know more than she is letting on.
David Ellis’s ability to write morally grey characters you cannot help but *vehemently* root for, and twists like no one else, means I will forever and always devour anything he writes. This book starts off with a bang, but soon, we are lead through a story, set in both the past and present, that will have us questioning everyone.
While this was perhaps a bit more of a slow burn than his previous book, Look Closer, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Leo is one of the most interesting characters I have read of late. His complex family dynamics and background, as well as the dichotomy of his desire to do good in the world and but as a pathological liar, kept me turning the pages. And the subplot of his relationship with Andi was chef's kiss.
🎧 While I started out reading this one with my eyes, I found myself gravitating towards the audiobook. With a full cast of narrators, and an action movie type plot line, the audiobook brought this one to life for me. I would suggest doing an immersive read, pairing the physical or ebook with the audiobook for the best and most entertaining reading experience.
Read if you like:
•cat and mouse plot lines
•psychological thrillers
•police procedurals
•morally grey characters
•ensemble casts
•twisty thrillers
Thank you Puntam Books, Kaye Publicity and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
David Ellis’s ability to write morally grey characters you cannot help but *vehemently* root for, and twists like no one else, means I will forever and always devour anything he writes. This book starts off with a bang, but soon, we are lead through a story, set in both the past and present, that will have us questioning everyone.
While this was perhaps a bit more of a slow burn than his previous book, Look Closer, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Leo is one of the most interesting characters I have read of late. His complex family dynamics and background, as well as the dichotomy of his desire to do good in the world and but as a pathological liar, kept me turning the pages. And the subplot of his relationship with Andi was chef's kiss.
🎧 While I started out reading this one with my eyes, I found myself gravitating towards the audiobook. With a full cast of narrators, and an action movie type plot line, the audiobook brought this one to life for me. I would suggest doing an immersive read, pairing the physical or ebook with the audiobook for the best and most entertaining reading experience.
Read if you like:
•cat and mouse plot lines
•psychological thrillers
•police procedurals
•morally grey characters
•ensemble casts
•twisty thrillers
Thank you Puntam Books, Kaye Publicity and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
July 28, 2024
If you are expecting a Look Closer 2.0 you will be disappointed. This suspense novel definitely moves at a slower pace. This one is a story that you invest in.
Again, Ellis writes another amazing story. I will tell you that more than halfway through I still didn’t have a clue to where this was going. Then about 65% I had an idea.
The Best Lies is told from timelines of the past and the present. It involves bad guys, detectives and a lawyer. What I thought was the focus was only a small fraction of the tale.
Definitely worth the read. Just remember this moves slower and Ellis spends time developing his characters from the past and present. I will always be a loyal David Ellis fan for life and I had the great pleasure of meeting him on his debut 7/23/24. Stellar author who is also an appeals judge during the day.
Fun fact— He wakes at 3:30 in the morning to dedicate to writing and then does his judgy stuff for the day.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Again, Ellis writes another amazing story. I will tell you that more than halfway through I still didn’t have a clue to where this was going. Then about 65% I had an idea.
The Best Lies is told from timelines of the past and the present. It involves bad guys, detectives and a lawyer. What I thought was the focus was only a small fraction of the tale.
Definitely worth the read. Just remember this moves slower and Ellis spends time developing his characters from the past and present. I will always be a loyal David Ellis fan for life and I had the great pleasure of meeting him on his debut 7/23/24. Stellar author who is also an appeals judge during the day.
Fun fact— He wakes at 3:30 in the morning to dedicate to writing and then does his judgy stuff for the day.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2024
”There are so many moving parts, so many players, so much I don’t know. It’s gonna be a wild ride."
Leo Balanoff
Night Before the Drop
Well, that’s putting it mildly! And those skeletons in Leo’s family closet? Oh, they’re some crazy $#!^!!! And it all comes out in one crazy, wild ride. The book summary is basically an introduction to the primary storyline. What the book summary doesn’t say is that the “drug dealer”, Cyrus, that Leo is arrested for killing, was also a human trafficker and murderer. Scum of earth in pretty much everyone’s book. Cyrus killed one of Leo’s clients, Bonnie, and now Cyrus is hunting down one of Leo’s other clients, Trace, who is Bonnie’s son as well as Cyrus’s biological son. Cyrus kidnapped Trace from Bonnie (one of the prostitutes he ran) when Trace was five and sold him to a woman named Marilyn. A few months earlier, Cyrus kidnapped Leo from his mother (another one of Cyrus’s prostitutes), when he was six, and also sold him to Marilyn, so Leo and Trace grew up adopted brothers. Marilyn was a grieving widow, as well as a cop, who accidentally killed her own two sons (5&6) while in a drunken stupor. She bought Leo and Trace on the black market to replace her own sons. She even died Leo’s hair and forced him to become left-handed in order to mimic her own son. Yeah, mama Marilyn was a wacko with a lot of secrets and unresolved issues. None of this is a spoiler since it happened in the first 20% of the story.
There are secondary storylines like the one of Leo meeting Andi in college 14yrs ago and were a couple for many years until she dumped him because of his crazy stunts. It bears mentioning that Andi has some of her own cobwebs in her family closet too. While Leo is still in love with Andi, the feelings aren’t exactly mutual. Andi used to be a cop but now does private security for a large pharmaceutical company. There’s another one of an FBI agent, Chris, who is back at work after beating cancer and is trying to prove himself as being just as good as ever (even though he’s really not) and trying to get back on his old task force and capturing the infamous criminal, Nico (who Cyrus worked for), will put him back in the FBI’s good graces.
The story flips back and forth between Leo, Andi and Chris as well as between seven different time frames. The story starts in present day and then flips back to a year ago, then back to the present day, then 30yrs ago, then back to present day, then 14yrs ago, then back to the present day, yada, yada, yada. This goes on throughout the whole book so that the reader never really has the big picture or the background info on the characters or what is truly going on until the very end. This is one way of building interest and engaging the reader. While I don’t mind a couple of MCs or two or three timeframes, the constant flipping back and forth can get a little irksome because it can rattle the flow of the story if not done right. Fortunately, Ellis manages most of the transitions smoothly enough with a minimum of bumpy transitions.
Most of the story revolves around “the drop” that Cyrus/Nico want Leo to do and how Leo got arrested for killing Cyrus (how the story started). There are so many moving parts in this story along with all the different machinations of the cast of characters for a reader to stay on top of (at least for me there was). It’s well into the second half that the storylines begin to merge together and a clearer picture is developing of just how elaborate and maybe just a little convoluted this story has become. The ending was a massive collision (no other way it could have ended) of all the characters and their individual end games.
The character development for the MCs was well done, which are the most important characters. Although, I would have liked to have known a little more about Trace and Brando (Andi’s “dad” for most of the story). The pacing was steady to fast and the storyline very interesting. It was a late-night night to finish the book because I could not go to sleep until I knew how this story ended. This is the sixth book I have read by David Ellis, with almost all of them being 4-5star ratings. Suffice it to say, I like Ellis; he’s a good writer and storyteller. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #PenguinGroupPutnam #TheBestLies
Leo Balanoff
Night Before the Drop
Well, that’s putting it mildly! And those skeletons in Leo’s family closet? Oh, they’re some crazy $#!^!!! And it all comes out in one crazy, wild ride. The book summary is basically an introduction to the primary storyline. What the book summary doesn’t say is that the “drug dealer”, Cyrus, that Leo is arrested for killing, was also a human trafficker and murderer. Scum of earth in pretty much everyone’s book. Cyrus killed one of Leo’s clients, Bonnie, and now Cyrus is hunting down one of Leo’s other clients, Trace, who is Bonnie’s son as well as Cyrus’s biological son. Cyrus kidnapped Trace from Bonnie (one of the prostitutes he ran) when Trace was five and sold him to a woman named Marilyn. A few months earlier, Cyrus kidnapped Leo from his mother (another one of Cyrus’s prostitutes), when he was six, and also sold him to Marilyn, so Leo and Trace grew up adopted brothers. Marilyn was a grieving widow, as well as a cop, who accidentally killed her own two sons (5&6) while in a drunken stupor. She bought Leo and Trace on the black market to replace her own sons. She even died Leo’s hair and forced him to become left-handed in order to mimic her own son. Yeah, mama Marilyn was a wacko with a lot of secrets and unresolved issues. None of this is a spoiler since it happened in the first 20% of the story.
There are secondary storylines like the one of Leo meeting Andi in college 14yrs ago and were a couple for many years until she dumped him because of his crazy stunts. It bears mentioning that Andi has some of her own cobwebs in her family closet too. While Leo is still in love with Andi, the feelings aren’t exactly mutual. Andi used to be a cop but now does private security for a large pharmaceutical company. There’s another one of an FBI agent, Chris, who is back at work after beating cancer and is trying to prove himself as being just as good as ever (even though he’s really not) and trying to get back on his old task force and capturing the infamous criminal, Nico (who Cyrus worked for), will put him back in the FBI’s good graces.
The story flips back and forth between Leo, Andi and Chris as well as between seven different time frames. The story starts in present day and then flips back to a year ago, then back to the present day, then 30yrs ago, then back to present day, then 14yrs ago, then back to the present day, yada, yada, yada. This goes on throughout the whole book so that the reader never really has the big picture or the background info on the characters or what is truly going on until the very end. This is one way of building interest and engaging the reader. While I don’t mind a couple of MCs or two or three timeframes, the constant flipping back and forth can get a little irksome because it can rattle the flow of the story if not done right. Fortunately, Ellis manages most of the transitions smoothly enough with a minimum of bumpy transitions.
Most of the story revolves around “the drop” that Cyrus/Nico want Leo to do and how Leo got arrested for killing Cyrus (how the story started). There are so many moving parts in this story along with all the different machinations of the cast of characters for a reader to stay on top of (at least for me there was). It’s well into the second half that the storylines begin to merge together and a clearer picture is developing of just how elaborate and maybe just a little convoluted this story has become. The ending was a massive collision (no other way it could have ended) of all the characters and their individual end games.
The character development for the MCs was well done, which are the most important characters. Although, I would have liked to have known a little more about Trace and Brando (Andi’s “dad” for most of the story). The pacing was steady to fast and the storyline very interesting. It was a late-night night to finish the book because I could not go to sleep until I knew how this story ended. This is the sixth book I have read by David Ellis, with almost all of them being 4-5star ratings. Suffice it to say, I like Ellis; he’s a good writer and storyteller. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #PenguinGroupPutnam #TheBestLies
July 10, 2024
David Ellis was brought to my attention last year with his 2023 release, Look Closer, which was a top read of 2023 for me, so when I heard about his upcoming novel, THE BEST LIES, I jumped at the chance to read it! Look Closer was a very popular, yet polarizing read due to the amount of twists it took, but THE BEST LIES is much more straightforward.
The story is centered around attorney Leo Balanoff seeking justice for his client, but when he is accused of murdering a high-profile drug dealer and human trafficker, he is left to take matters in his own hands. Leo was diagnosed as a pathological liar in the past and the FBI offers him an opportunity for justice. Leo must walk a fine line between going undercover and also protecting his ex, Andi Piotrowski, at all costs.
I don't want to dive too much into the story because I actually didn't even read the synopsis! I just knew that I needed to read another David Ellis novel. This one is much more of a Harlan Coben vibe than his last book—dark, gritty, and more crime-focused than his last book. This story involves serious topics such as human trafficking, sex crimes, and violence, but it's needed to tell the story carefully. We have multiple POVs, but Leo's is 100% hands down my favorite and if Ellis just stayed with him, this book would be 5 stars. There's so many unique characters in this novel and I loved some, hated others, and loved to hate a few as well. David Ellis is an amazing author and has become an auto-read author for me!
The story is centered around attorney Leo Balanoff seeking justice for his client, but when he is accused of murdering a high-profile drug dealer and human trafficker, he is left to take matters in his own hands. Leo was diagnosed as a pathological liar in the past and the FBI offers him an opportunity for justice. Leo must walk a fine line between going undercover and also protecting his ex, Andi Piotrowski, at all costs.
I don't want to dive too much into the story because I actually didn't even read the synopsis! I just knew that I needed to read another David Ellis novel. This one is much more of a Harlan Coben vibe than his last book—dark, gritty, and more crime-focused than his last book. This story involves serious topics such as human trafficking, sex crimes, and violence, but it's needed to tell the story carefully. We have multiple POVs, but Leo's is 100% hands down my favorite and if Ellis just stayed with him, this book would be 5 stars. There's so many unique characters in this novel and I loved some, hated others, and loved to hate a few as well. David Ellis is an amazing author and has become an auto-read author for me!
July 29, 2024
4⭐️ One word to describe this book: CLEVER.
There are a million moving pieces in this story and I’m not sure that even a quarter of them could feasibly fall into place in real life, but it all worked perfectly to create an entertaining work of fiction.
I doubt I could even attempt to describe the plot of this book but I will say, and this is coming from someone who avoids them at all costs, the synopsis for THE BEST LIES isn’t terrible if you must read it! At first glance it might seem like it gives away a lot of details, but honestly what’s mentioned is only the tip of the iceberg.
If you enjoyed LOOK CLOSER, you’ll very likely want to pick up THE BEST LIES. I’m not sure which book I enjoyed more but to me, THE BEST LIES felt even twistier and more addictive.
I really liked LOOK CLOSER but I think I made a mistake by listening to it on audio. In the same vein, I’m glad I read a kindle copy of THE BEST LIES because I was frequently skipping back to previous chapters or searching a character’s name to remind myself who they were and when I first met them. The story isn’t confusing by any means but there is a lot going on and it really kept me on my toes. Having the words in front of me allowed for a more immersive read and I think made it more enjoyable.
There are so many twists in this book that I altogether stopped trying to predict a single thing that would happen. Sometimes it’s more fun to just sit back and enjoy the ride!
This might not have been the perfect book but it was a fast-paced thriller that held my attention from beginning to end and I really enjoyed getting lost in the story.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!
There are a million moving pieces in this story and I’m not sure that even a quarter of them could feasibly fall into place in real life, but it all worked perfectly to create an entertaining work of fiction.
I doubt I could even attempt to describe the plot of this book but I will say, and this is coming from someone who avoids them at all costs, the synopsis for THE BEST LIES isn’t terrible if you must read it! At first glance it might seem like it gives away a lot of details, but honestly what’s mentioned is only the tip of the iceberg.
If you enjoyed LOOK CLOSER, you’ll very likely want to pick up THE BEST LIES. I’m not sure which book I enjoyed more but to me, THE BEST LIES felt even twistier and more addictive.
I really liked LOOK CLOSER but I think I made a mistake by listening to it on audio. In the same vein, I’m glad I read a kindle copy of THE BEST LIES because I was frequently skipping back to previous chapters or searching a character’s name to remind myself who they were and when I first met them. The story isn’t confusing by any means but there is a lot going on and it really kept me on my toes. Having the words in front of me allowed for a more immersive read and I think made it more enjoyable.
There are so many twists in this book that I altogether stopped trying to predict a single thing that would happen. Sometimes it’s more fun to just sit back and enjoy the ride!
This might not have been the perfect book but it was a fast-paced thriller that held my attention from beginning to end and I really enjoyed getting lost in the story.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!
May 13, 2024
I have been a fan of David Ellis since reading Look Closer which was one of my favorite thriller books in 2022. Though I am not the biggest fan of spies and corporate espionage this book still kept my interest. Leo Balanoff is a liar and a crusading attorney who will do anything to acquire justice for his clients. But when Leo's fingerprints are found at the crime scene of a ruthless drug dealer, he is coerced to help the FBI or go to jail. Forced to work with an ambitious agent, a former cop and ex Andi, while going undercover against a merciless crime boss, he risks his life to find out the truth but Leo has a mind of his own.
There were a lot of minor characters to keep track of, but I loved the twists at the end that I didn't see coming. While I preferred Look Closer, I still enjoyed this one and I look forward to more books by David Ellis
There were a lot of minor characters to keep track of, but I loved the twists at the end that I didn't see coming. While I preferred Look Closer, I still enjoyed this one and I look forward to more books by David Ellis
July 24, 2024
Leo Balanoff is in a world of trouble. He was just arrested after his fingerprints were found on the murder weapon used to kill a well known drug dealer. But, the FBI has a deal to make. Help them by going undercover to take down the drug dealer’s boss, the circus leader of their whole operation, or go to jail for the murder. Of course, Leo chooses to avoid prison and go undercover, but he is in for a wild ride, one he didn’t even see coming.
Review:
I loved Look Closer by David Ellis and was so excited to read The Best Lies. Look Closer still takes the cake for me in comparison to David Ellis’ new novel. But, I did really enjoy this read as well. It sucks you in right away. You know that you are in for a world of twists and turns with this author and I certainly was not disappointed! I did not anticipate them in the slightest. This is very heavy on organized crime and sometimes I felt lost and just not smart enough for these criminals and their shenanigans. I had to reread a few times especially because there are a lot of characters to keep track of. But overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this one and would highly recommend it! The Best Lies published today, 7/23! Go pick up your copy!
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ellis, and Penguin Group for this ARC of The Best Lies in exchange for an honest review!
Review:
I loved Look Closer by David Ellis and was so excited to read The Best Lies. Look Closer still takes the cake for me in comparison to David Ellis’ new novel. But, I did really enjoy this read as well. It sucks you in right away. You know that you are in for a world of twists and turns with this author and I certainly was not disappointed! I did not anticipate them in the slightest. This is very heavy on organized crime and sometimes I felt lost and just not smart enough for these criminals and their shenanigans. I had to reread a few times especially because there are a lot of characters to keep track of. But overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this one and would highly recommend it! The Best Lies published today, 7/23! Go pick up your copy!
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ellis, and Penguin Group for this ARC of The Best Lies in exchange for an honest review!
July 25, 2024
After reading the glowing reviews, I couldn't resist "The Best Lies" by David Ellis, and it did not disappoint! This book took me on an exhilarating journey filled with unexpected plot twists and jaw-dropping surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, skillfully blending past and present events to deliver a wild ride of exhilarating twists and turns. When everything finally comes together, be prepared to have your mind blown. Ellis' storytelling is top-notch, and the characters are well-developed and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed Leo's unique talent for numbers. His quirky gift added a layer of amusement to the story. This book is a whirlwind of thrilling surprises and reveals that will leave you reeling.
I'd like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with this complimentary ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheBestLies #DavidEllis #NetGalley #GPPutnamsSons #PenguinGroup
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, skillfully blending past and present events to deliver a wild ride of exhilarating twists and turns. When everything finally comes together, be prepared to have your mind blown. Ellis' storytelling is top-notch, and the characters are well-developed and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed Leo's unique talent for numbers. His quirky gift added a layer of amusement to the story. This book is a whirlwind of thrilling surprises and reveals that will leave you reeling.
I'd like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with this complimentary ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheBestLies #DavidEllis #NetGalley #GPPutnamsSons #PenguinGroup
July 8, 2024
I I really enjoyed the previous book LOOK CLOSER and was really excited for this one. Leo Balanoff I'd an attorney and a diagnosed pathological liar. A Drug dealer is found dead and his fingerprints are on the murder weapon. The FBI wants his help, but can they really believe him? And do they really have a choice? Leo is caught in the middle…between the FBI and a cruel mob boss.
There's plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages in this one. The beginning pulled me in and I was hooked. Halfway through, It felt like it lost steam but then picked up again. I loved how well written this one was, and the characters were well developed. I loved how it all played out in the end too. Looking forward to more by David Ellis.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There's plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages in this one. The beginning pulled me in and I was hooked. Halfway through, It felt like it lost steam but then picked up again. I loved how well written this one was, and the characters were well developed. I loved how it all played out in the end too. Looking forward to more by David Ellis.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2024
Did I finish this book in one sitting? Yes. Yes I did.
I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down! After reading Look Closer earlier this year, I had such high expectations for @david_ellis_author’s newest book and boy, did he deliver! The short chapters of course, were EVERYTHING. Ellis knows how to write unreliable characters and how everything came together in the end was twisted perfection!
I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down! After reading Look Closer earlier this year, I had such high expectations for @david_ellis_author’s newest book and boy, did he deliver! The short chapters of course, were EVERYTHING. Ellis knows how to write unreliable characters and how everything came together in the end was twisted perfection!
June 30, 2024
4.5/5
Based on the title you obviously know this will be full of secrets and lies but I was actually surprised by how many twists and turns this had. There were so many reveals I lost count, it was a constant and steady stream of subtle turns and sometimes downright shocking twists. It definitely kept me engaged and ready, I truly never knew exactly what would happen next. This is complex and intricately plotted, I would describe it as a smart thriller where not every single thing is spelled out for you but the author lays a trail and allows you to put the pieces together yourself. While it’s heavily plot driven there was also really good character development and depth making it such a multifaceted read. Fans of Harlan Coben will like this one, definitely similar vibes for me.
Based on the title you obviously know this will be full of secrets and lies but I was actually surprised by how many twists and turns this had. There were so many reveals I lost count, it was a constant and steady stream of subtle turns and sometimes downright shocking twists. It definitely kept me engaged and ready, I truly never knew exactly what would happen next. This is complex and intricately plotted, I would describe it as a smart thriller where not every single thing is spelled out for you but the author lays a trail and allows you to put the pieces together yourself. While it’s heavily plot driven there was also really good character development and depth making it such a multifaceted read. Fans of Harlan Coben will like this one, definitely similar vibes for me.
April 13, 2024
David Ellis does it again 👏🏼
My expectations were sky high coming off of Look Closer, and this book lived up to them. Good luck putting this one down once you start it. Extremely fast paced with short chapters and multi-POV, Ellis’ thrillers are intricate and addicting. I will be recommending this book to everyone.
NOT A SPOILER:
At the 80% mark, when the book is building towards the big moment, he ends a chapter by saying “Anything can happen tomorrow. There are so many moving parts, so many players, so much I don’t know. It’s gonna be a wild ride.”
He’s telling his reader to buckle up for a crazy ending, and he delivers! I’ve never seen anything like it.
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC. This was my most anticipated read of the year and it was phenomenal.
My expectations were sky high coming off of Look Closer, and this book lived up to them. Good luck putting this one down once you start it. Extremely fast paced with short chapters and multi-POV, Ellis’ thrillers are intricate and addicting. I will be recommending this book to everyone.
NOT A SPOILER:
At the 80% mark, when the book is building towards the big moment, he ends a chapter by saying “Anything can happen tomorrow. There are so many moving parts, so many players, so much I don’t know. It’s gonna be a wild ride.”
He’s telling his reader to buckle up for a crazy ending, and he delivers! I’ve never seen anything like it.
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC. This was my most anticipated read of the year and it was phenomenal.
July 29, 2024
I was a little hesitant to pick this up when I read Leo was a pathological liar, which was a label stuck on him that may or may not have fit. Not a fan of someone who lies all the time, but if/when he lied it was for the best of reasons and I loved how Leo’s clever manipulations of the truth kept him one step ahead of the bad guys! So many things were not as they seemed. I completely rooted for Leo, especially after that backstory.
I hit the 40% mark, and the story really took off, surprising twist and revelation at every turn! I stayed up into the wee hours to finish and see how it all turned out. The Best Lies was so good!
A copy was kindly provided by G.P. Putnam's Sons. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
I hit the 40% mark, and the story really took off, surprising twist and revelation at every turn! I stayed up into the wee hours to finish and see how it all turned out. The Best Lies was so good!
A copy was kindly provided by G.P. Putnam's Sons. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 3, 2024
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
The twists and turns are amazing. You don’t know what to believe and who to trust in the book.
The end and how everything connects is so good.
You aren’t sure whether or not to trust Leo but his character is so good.
Couldn’t recommend this book more!!!
David Ellis didn’t disappoint
The twists and turns are amazing. You don’t know what to believe and who to trust in the book.
The end and how everything connects is so good.
You aren’t sure whether or not to trust Leo but his character is so good.
Couldn’t recommend this book more!!!
David Ellis didn’t disappoint
July 23, 2024
The Best Lies (now available!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Somehow this complicated story is delivered in a beautiful easy way. I was constantly trying to figure out who was the puppet and who was the master. This was overall a great book!
Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for this ARC. Pub Date Jul 23 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Somehow this complicated story is delivered in a beautiful easy way. I was constantly trying to figure out who was the puppet and who was the master. This was overall a great book!
Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for this ARC. Pub Date Jul 23 2024
April 16, 2024
3.75 stars. Definitely more mission impossible vibes than a typical domestic mystery. Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLffGaru/
July 18, 2024
I read this author’s book “Look Closer” about a year ago and absolutely loved it. I didn’t love this one quite as much, but it was still a fantastic page-turner that I had to finish in one sitting! This is pretty much two stories in one: a story of corporate espionage, and one of human trafficking.
This story starts with a lawyer/pathological liar/compulsive counter named Leo Balanoff being arrested for the murder of a man named Cyrus Balik. Cyrus was involved in both drug and human trafficking, so not many people in law enforcement mind that he’s dead, but now Leo can be used as ammunition…
There are a lot of characters in this story (maybe too many?) but Leo was definitely my favorite. We also have Andi, a former police officer who now works in corporate security, Chris, another officer and cancer survivor, and Nico, the “Greek Ghost”, who replaced Cyrus after his unfortunate demise.
Basically, we have an action-packed thriller that bounces back and forth in time (too much - along with the abundance of characters, I also didn’t care for the way the past and future were laid out) and takes you through some wild and unexpected moments. The ending was fantastic, with twists that I never considered. This is another solid read; I may have to look at older books by this author! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, David Ellis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 23, 2024.)
This story starts with a lawyer/pathological liar/compulsive counter named Leo Balanoff being arrested for the murder of a man named Cyrus Balik. Cyrus was involved in both drug and human trafficking, so not many people in law enforcement mind that he’s dead, but now Leo can be used as ammunition…
There are a lot of characters in this story (maybe too many?) but Leo was definitely my favorite. We also have Andi, a former police officer who now works in corporate security, Chris, another officer and cancer survivor, and Nico, the “Greek Ghost”, who replaced Cyrus after his unfortunate demise.
Basically, we have an action-packed thriller that bounces back and forth in time (too much - along with the abundance of characters, I also didn’t care for the way the past and future were laid out) and takes you through some wild and unexpected moments. The ending was fantastic, with twists that I never considered. This is another solid read; I may have to look at older books by this author! 4.5 stars.
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, David Ellis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 23, 2024.)
April 11, 2024
4.5 stars.
This author’s last book, Look Closer, was one of the cleverest thrillers I’ve ever read. So I was very excited to get early access to his upcoming novel, The Best Lies!
While very different in terms of plot, this one is also clever and again showcases this author’s ease and skill at writing smart thrillers that involve multiple threads, twists and turns. He juggles these elements with such ease, bringing the reader along for the wild ride right up to the exciting and seamless ending.
The story is told from three points of view and different timelines but this just keeps the tension high and the reader curious until the pieces start to smoothly come together. The characters are morally grey and complex (which I love), the chapters are short and the pacing is so good. I predict this one will be another hit for this author! I look forward to his next novel.
Many thanks to Putnam Books, Penguin Random House Canada and Edelweiss for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This author’s last book, Look Closer, was one of the cleverest thrillers I’ve ever read. So I was very excited to get early access to his upcoming novel, The Best Lies!
While very different in terms of plot, this one is also clever and again showcases this author’s ease and skill at writing smart thrillers that involve multiple threads, twists and turns. He juggles these elements with such ease, bringing the reader along for the wild ride right up to the exciting and seamless ending.
The story is told from three points of view and different timelines but this just keeps the tension high and the reader curious until the pieces start to smoothly come together. The characters are morally grey and complex (which I love), the chapters are short and the pacing is so good. I predict this one will be another hit for this author! I look forward to his next novel.
Many thanks to Putnam Books, Penguin Random House Canada and Edelweiss for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2024
As someone who has not read from this author previously I was super excited to read this early review and it did not disappoint!! This book was action packed , full of twists & turns.
There are 3 POV’s & multiple time lines, Leo, Andi & Chris which makes for so many interesting perspectives. Chris acts as Leo’s handler, when the FBI tries to take down Cyrus Balik. Cyrus is a gun & drug runner as well as a human trafficker.
The characters are incredibly well written. I think for me I had to sit with the ending to process it.
If you enjoy legal thrillers, police procedural, then read this book. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!
Pub date: July, 23, 2024
There are 3 POV’s & multiple time lines, Leo, Andi & Chris which makes for so many interesting perspectives. Chris acts as Leo’s handler, when the FBI tries to take down Cyrus Balik. Cyrus is a gun & drug runner as well as a human trafficker.
The characters are incredibly well written. I think for me I had to sit with the ending to process it.
If you enjoy legal thrillers, police procedural, then read this book. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!
Pub date: July, 23, 2024
February 29, 2024
“The best lie was the one I didn’t have to tell.”
The best books are the ones you can give 5 stars to and never have to explain why, but:
—Masterful
—Compulsive
—F*cking amazing
But also, Leo gives me mad Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool vibes, so there’s that too.
**EARLY PREDICTION FOR 2024 BOOK OF THE YEAR**
Thank you (so stinkin much) to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons for making my week with this digital review copy!
The best books are the ones you can give 5 stars to and never have to explain why, but:
—Masterful
—Compulsive
—F*cking amazing
But also, Leo gives me mad Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool vibes, so there’s that too.
**EARLY PREDICTION FOR 2024 BOOK OF THE YEAR**
Thank you (so stinkin much) to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons for making my week with this digital review copy!
May 30, 2024
The Best Lies is an action packed procedural crime thriller following Leo, a criminal defense attorney who also happens to be a pathological liar. This book has no shortage of characters to keep track of, which can get confusing at times and you’ll want to pay attention to the alternating timelines, but it’s definitely an intense puzzle that keeps you guessing throughout. Who can you trust when it seems like everyone is crooked and unreliable?
This is a far different novel than Look Closer, a previous novel from David Ellis that shot him to fame with psychological thriller readers in 2022. The Best Lies gives off more Harlan Coben vibes with the organized crime, mobsters, and sting operation plots. It definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for an in depth story that keeps you engaged and questioning everything you know, this is definitely a worthwhile read!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a far different novel than Look Closer, a previous novel from David Ellis that shot him to fame with psychological thriller readers in 2022. The Best Lies gives off more Harlan Coben vibes with the organized crime, mobsters, and sting operation plots. It definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for an in depth story that keeps you engaged and questioning everything you know, this is definitely a worthwhile read!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 21, 2024
3.5-4 stars!
liked this one! I was absolutely overjoyed to receive an early copy via NetGalley, after lovingggg Look Closer at the end of 2022. That was a five star read for me that I still think about so often to this day; a forever favorite! While this one was good, fast paced, and contained a lot of twists toward the end, I feel like this plot was just not overly interesting to me. Because I was not super entertained in the plot, I felt like the twists were not overly exciting to me either, but they did have some shock factor. I have talked to a few people who absolutely loved this one though, so I think this is just a personal thing! It was very well done; everything was tied up and made sense in the end, though there were multiple twists. I do enjoy David’s writing! This is my third book of his and I can’t wait to read more!
liked this one! I was absolutely overjoyed to receive an early copy via NetGalley, after lovingggg Look Closer at the end of 2022. That was a five star read for me that I still think about so often to this day; a forever favorite! While this one was good, fast paced, and contained a lot of twists toward the end, I feel like this plot was just not overly interesting to me. Because I was not super entertained in the plot, I felt like the twists were not overly exciting to me either, but they did have some shock factor. I have talked to a few people who absolutely loved this one though, so I think this is just a personal thing! It was very well done; everything was tied up and made sense in the end, though there were multiple twists. I do enjoy David’s writing! This is my third book of his and I can’t wait to read more!
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