The Lies We Hide: An Absolutely Gripping and Darkly Compelling Novel

De: S. E. Lynes

Narrado por: Tamsin Kennard

The truth can set you free, or make you a prisoner...

Thirty years ago, Nicola Watson lived with her parents and older brother in a respectable suburb. At 10 years old, she didn’t yet understand why her stomach tightened when she heard her father’s heavy tread as he returned home late at night, or why it made her brother Graham’s stammer get worse, or why one night her mother Carol woke them both, wide-eyed and whispering, and took them out of their home and into the unknown.

Now a successful lawyer in the city, with a life poles apart from her dark beginnings, Nicola has returned home for her mother’s funeral. But as she stands in her mother’s house, remembering the woman who sacrificed everything for her children, Nicola has to confront the guilt that she feels for leaving her family behind. And the belief that she played a part in the events that led to her brother going to prison for murder.

All Carol wanted was to protect her children, but escaping her husband was only the beginning of the story. And when Nicola learns the truth of what her mother did, it will change everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

A gripping, emotional story of family secrets, and the strength of a mother’s love in the darkest times. The next powerful listen for fans of The Silent Wife, Kerry Lonsdale and Emily Bleeker.

©2019 S.E. Lynes (P)2019 Bookouture

Only bearable speeded up to 1.45

90% of this is sappy set-up, an interminable wait for ANYTHING to happen. The last 10% is the simple wind-up you've seen coming for a long time. Wish I hadn't bothered. (I really did listen to most of it at a very high speed, and it was still draggy )

Good story

good narrator. listened to the end waiting for the secrets and lies to come out

Well done

I was in an incredibly abusive relationship for many many years at the same time trying to raise two daughters. This book beautifully captures what Carol went through in a way that touched me deeply. Just like Carol found Jim I found the kindest most loving man to end my days with so my story ends happily. Well done to this author

Startling twists near the end

(As posted in GoodReads)
Wow, what fascinating and unexpected twists at the end! Despite the fact that it's not a mystery, running questions about the characters and their motives and activities were constant throughout. And the questions "what really happened?" and "Who's the good guys, and are they entirely good?" were prevalent throughout. And, although, they were primarily answered by the end, the question of whether anyone was actually good and whether any activities were correct/justified is an ongoing question just in general. It's an interesting look into a screwed up situation and family for which there really wasn't a good answer.

Good listen

S.E. Lynes has become one of my favorite authors and Tamsin Kennard an excellent narrator. This book held my interest from start to finish, narrative acting is spot on.

Excellent! Just excellent!

Gripping story of a family and the turns at the end are pure love. Enjoyed every second.

Very touching story

I love it when I take a chance on a book with so few reviews and I really enjoy it! The narrator is excellent and I fell in love with the flawed, raw and realistic characters in this book. Yes it is dark, but these characters constantly struggle to evolve emotionally throughout the story. The beauty of this book is in their fight to find their way into the light. Alcoholism, drug addiction and physical violence are at the premise of the storyline, but truly so is hope and love. I could painfully identify with Carol's constant feelings of trepidation in her marriage. There will be those who say Carol is weak, but she is NOT. She makes mistakes, as we all do, and she is often unable to see herself as worthy of love, like so many victims of family dysfunction are. But she is NOT a victim, she is a strong woman who never gives up on her family, always putting one foot in front of the other searching for the light. This is just a beautiful story of love in all forms that a we cultivate over a lifetime. READ THIS BOOK!

It was …okay

Took forever to get anywhere in this story. One of the main characters had a stutter and it was nearly unbearable to listen to the narrator read the stuttering part or listen again and again how he chewed the skin away from his fingernails or the constant constant having a “ciggy”. I would not recommend.

Wow, definitely recommend

This was a great story! Moving, deep and kept me guessing until the end. I wish it would not have ended!

NOT a mystery/thriller

I am a big fan of S.E. Lynes and have read almost of all of her books. This is a fine book with decent characters and great narration. HOWEVER, don’t choose this if you are looking for a mystery to unravel. There’s nothing unraveling here. There is a reveal at the end but it isn’t something very meaningful to anyone except a character that you don’t know enough about to feel that much for.
This shouldn’t marketed with the “absolutely gripping” headline that we mystery lovers have come to recognize (ad nauseum). It’s not intensely gripping. Nor is it particularly dark. It’s a decent family drama with a minor reveal at the end.