Review: All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson

Title: All the Beautiful Lies
Author: Peter Swanson
Pages: 309
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Source: Free ARC from William Morrow

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from William Morrow via Edelweiss. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

Summary: Harry is preparing for college graduation when he learns that his father has died of an apparent accident. Naturally, he packs up and heads “home” to make arrangements and grieve with his stepmother Alice. At a memorial for his father, he sees a woman he doesn’t know and seeks her out to see how she knew his father. From that conversation, everything Harry “knows” about his father begins to unravel, along with his belief that his father’s death was an accident.

Review: Three things initially drew me to this book: the cover (duh!), the setting (yay Maine!), and the author (new to me, but I’ve been meaning to read The Kind Worth Killing for just about forever). While the setting didn’t disappoint, I wasn’t especially thrilled with the execution of the story. Grief or no, the connection between Harry and his stepmother wasn’t palpable enough to explain some of the choices they made. None of the characters were particularly likeable, which would have been fine if that was the author’s intention, but I don’t think it was.

However, the character development of Alice was quite good, and I really enjoyed the deep dive into her past and her thought processes, even if I couldn’t stand her. And the relationship between her and her stepfather was well fleshed out.

Since this is my first experience with this author, I’m going give the benefit of the doubt and assume this simply isn’t his best, and keep The Kind Worth Killing on my TBR. But unless you’re a fan already, I wouldn’t recommend rushing out to buy All the Beautiful Lies.

 

10 Replies to “Review: All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson”

    • Thanks! It was in the 30’s over night, but is a steamy 50 at the moment. I’m not ready for snow!!! Have a beautiful day yourself! 💕

  1. Great review, Myndi! I read this one and thought it was ok but I really like The Kind Worth Killing. I hope you can give that one a try soon and enjoy it!

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