Book Review: Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

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What is this book about?

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.

Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.

My review:

Okay, a murder involving a clown? This promised suspense and it delivered. It was a fast paced page turner that I had trouble putting down until the end. The clown could have made things creepy but it was not. Without spoiling the story, things were not as they seemed.

There were multiple character viewpoints which I usually find distracting, but this was really well done. It highlighted flawed people struggling with their faith in extreme circumstances and a fallen world.

There was a great spiritual thread throughout without being preachy or tying human emotions up in a tidy bow. People are messy. There was even a minor bit of romance which I just loved.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

Page turning suspense.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Losing sleep because I had to finish it.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. This had fast paced suspense with flawed characters struggling with a fallen world. This is the first book in this series.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Terri Blackstock, author website

-Loraine Nunley

Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock (5 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview Share on X

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