Title: The Truth and Other Lies
Author: Sascha Arango
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: June 23, 2015
Pages: 256
Book Source: Advanced Reader’s Copy
“Evil is a matter of opinion…”
On the surface, Henry Hayden seems like someone you could like, or even admire. A famous bestselling author who appears a modest everyman. A loving, devoted husband even though he could have any woman he desires. A generous friend and coworker. But Henry Hayden is a construction, a mask. His past is a secret, his methods more so. No one besides him and his wife know that she is the actual writer of the novels that made him famous.
For most of Henry’s life, it hasn’t been a problem. But when his hidden-in-plain-sight mistress becomes pregnant and his carefully constructed facade is about to crumble, he tries to find a permanent solution, only to make a terrible mistake.
My Review:
I suggest if you read this book (which you should!) that you read it in one sitting and don’t have multiple other books going at the same time. It took me a month to read this book, not because it didn’t hold my attention, I just had too much else going on.
I don’t often reread books, but I would consider doing so with this book, since I feel like I might have missed some things with my brain being so scattered.
This is Arango’s first novel, although he’s worked on a long running detective television series in Germany. I hope he continues to write books, since this one was so good.
I have to mention his descriptive writing style first. I normally do not enjoy books that are really descriptive, preferring more dialogue. If an author goes on and on about the mountain view, there’s a good chance I will be skimming, or not reading it at all. But Arango’s words really captured me. Perhaps because a lot of his descriptions more dark and gritty.
“The face of the drowned body looked like a quattro stagioni pizza topped with seasonal ingredients such as you might dig into at an Italian restaurant on the corner. A doughy black tongue bulged out of the mouth; the eyes had sunk to shriveled olives; the nose had opened out like an artichoke, exposing two black holes.” Page 119
The plot was wonderful, reminding me of Patricia Highsmith’s writing, best known for The Talented Mr. Ripley. The twists and turns kept me guessing. There were so many twists for the reader and complications for the main character, Henry, that you want to keep reading to see what will happen next.
I enjoyed Arango slowly revealed everything, and didn’t have it all come crashing together at the end like most Thrillers do. Even though the reveal was well pace throughout the entire book, it was still a fast read.
If you enjoy noir, black humor or psychological thrillers, you will want to get your hands on a copy.
*I was given a copy of the Uncorrected Proof. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not given any money or material incentives for an honest review of this book.