Had me hooked

Storyline had me hooked, and the ending had me drop my jaw it was that good! Narration was easy to listen to.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Brilliant listen!

i loved this book! it kept me coming back umtil it was done. Didn't see the twists coming and enjoyed it right to the last chapter. The narrator was great too which made listening a breeze.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

True psychological thriller that messes with your

WTH have I just read????? My mind is still reeling! I love it when a book messes with my mind, and this must be one of the darkest, twistiest thrillers I have ever read. I am still trying to work out what just happened here!

Amongst the vast number of books that are marketed as psychological thrillers, Sometimes I Lie certainly lives up to its claim. Amber, the narrator of the story, tells us right from the start that she doesn’t always tell the truth – and with that the stage is set. What can you believe and what is a lie? That is the big question throughout the entire book, and I was quite often wrong in my assumptions. I will not go into the plot at all, since this is a book you should dive into blindly with all seat belts firmly fastened, as you will be in for some turbulence!

It is hard to believe that this is Feeney’s debut novel, as she employs just about every plot device the genre has to offer, and she does this very well. The story unfolds in three timelines – the now, as Amber Reynolds lies in a coma, able to hear those around her but unable to move or talk; the days leading up to the accident that put her in hospital; and diary entries from fifteen years ago. It doesn’t help that Amber is also experiencing strange dreams in her coma, which further blur the line between reality and lies. The frustration Amber feels as she is trapped in her own body and unable to reach out to anyone was well portrayed, as was the feeling of claustrophobia and fear as she slowly remembers the events of “before”. However, of all the timelines, I found the diary the most chilling, and if you read the book you will find out why. It was a very dark and disturbing thread that had me covered in goosebumps many times. The undercurrent of menace is always there, at one point culminating in a situation that had me truly terrified for all the people involved. Enough said.

I started out listening to the audiobook, but once things heated up I switched to the print version as I absolutely could not tear myself away and had to find out what would happen – and I read a lot faster than the narrator. My husband is still slightly miffed that I locked myself away in the bedroom with a Do Not Disturb sign, refusing to talk to anyone until I had found out the answers. Answers I could never have predicted, by the way, so cleverly had the author laid her traps. In fact, there are still things I am not sure I interpreted right, and I am just itching to discuss them with someone. Utterly brilliant!

In summary: there are three things you should know about Sometimes I Lie:
1) It is a dark and claustrophobic psychological thriller that firmly earns itself a place in the “twister hall of fame” for its many unpredictable twists that you will never be able to foresee.
2) It is totally addictive and will have you firmly hooked, so make sure you have lots of time to spare when you start reading it.
3) Don’t take anything for face value in this book, and don’t trust anyone!

Anyone looking for a true psychological thriller that messes with your mind – this is it, folks!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Hooked from the first paragraph!

What made the experience of listening to Sometimes I Lie the most enjoyable?

The narrator of this book really knows how to read a story! She has such a engaging manner about her, one that draws you one and leaves you wanting more and this, coupled with an incredible storyline, makes this book an absolute must read/listen!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sometimes I Lie?

I can't pinpoint just one. This story is gripping and full of twists that I didn't see coming. One of the best thrillers I have read in a very long time.

Which character – as performed by Stephanie Racine – was your favourite?

Definitely the main character

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was definitely a book I wanted to listen to in one sitting! I stayed up for hours listening to you, spell bound and waiting to see what the next twist would involve

Any additional comments?

Read it! I am definitely reading this one again.. I can not wait for Alice's next book

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

No lie, this audiobook is good!

The first-person narrator of Alice Feeney’s gripping psychological thriller is the central character, Amber Reynolds, who opens by telling us three things about herself: she’s in a coma, her husband doesn’t lover her anymore, and sometimes, she lies.

Her account of the story is immediately dubious and we’re kept on the edge of our seat deciphering what is real and what isn’t over three time periods of her life. In the present, Amber lies in a coma after a horrific single-car accident. Unable to respond, she lays in her hospital bed listening to the voices and movement around her which gets increasingly more ominous.

In the past, we get to know Amber as a 9-year-old child, circa 1991, and as an adult in the time leading up to her accident, working on the Coffee Morning radio show where she manipulates the demise of her more popular co-host’s career.

The divine Stephanie Racine reads Sometimes I Lie with great skill, capturing the innocence of youth, the desperation and guilt of Amber’s workplace backstabbing, and the terror of a stalked woman trapped in an unmoving body as her memories of what happened slowly filter back. Racine introduces the listener to very distinct characters and, as we learn alongside Amber that her accident may have been a deliberate attempt at her life, Racine subtly adds an darkening air of intent to innocent conversations and events.

Feeney has written a gripping thriller. Her characters and most situations are identifiable and, using an unreliable storyteller is a great device for rocking the boat even more than the unfolding events themselves. Compounding the tension after Amber’s confession that she lies, is the early reveal of her stalker. By not leaving the reveal until the final scenes, we’re drawn into Amber’s present-day predicament further, while remaining ever-uncertain if the story will play out towards the most predictable conclusion.

The entertainment section of Glam Adelaide at glamadelaide dot com dot au regularly publishes audiobook reviews if you'd like to read more.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Unlikeable characters

What was most disappointing about Alice Feeney’s story?

It dragged on and I found the characters annoying and shallow.

Would you be willing to try another one of Stephanie Racine’s performances?

No.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The storyline was interesting however I didn't get to the end.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Really sorry I bought this could not even finish it

Don't waste your time it seemed to be a clone of other books I have read

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Cracking story with a brilliant twist

Any additional comments?

A really enjoyable story with a great twist that I didn't see coming at all. In fact it made me rethink everything I had already listened too. I can't say either character really appealed to me - but then maybe that is the whole point of the story? You love and loathe them both!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Super cliche

The story was full of corny cliches and was badly written. A ‘page turner’ but honestly I wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t think the author had thought things out and just kind of kept making spur of the moment narrative changes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Absalute bloody clanga from get go to get down.

Better then a sosso sanga at bunnings and a ripper twist at the lay down that left me with eye's wider then the great aussie bite. If you know what I mean you shagga you.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful