An entertaining read, that will keep you gripped enough that you can easily finish reading it in one sitting.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

“The First Lie” by A.J. Park is a gripping thriller that skillfully weaves a web of deception and suspense, leaving readers hooked from the very first page. With its clever twists, well-drawn characters, and relentless pacing, this novel delivers an engrossing reading experience that warrants its well-deserved four stars.

The story follows Paul Morris, a seemingly ordinary man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he receives an anonymous letter containing a shocking secret. As the layers of the mystery unravel, Paul finds himself entangled in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where the truth becomes increasingly elusive.

A.J. Park’s writing style is sharp and engaging, propelling the narrative forward with each chapter. The author expertly constructs a tension-filled atmosphere, keeping readers on edge as they delve deeper into the intricacies of the plot. The pacing is relentless, driving the story forward at a brisk pace and ensuring that the suspense never wanes.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its well-developed characters. Paul Morris is a complex protagonist, flawed yet relatable, and his journey is fraught with moral dilemmas and unexpected revelations. The supporting cast is equally compelling, with each character playing a crucial role in the unfolding mystery.

The twists and turns in “The First Lie” are masterfully executed. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Park introduces a new twist that will leave you questioning everything. The intricate plotting keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making this thriller a truly satisfying and immersive read.

While “The First Lie” delivers on its promise of suspense and intrigue, there are moments when the narrative could benefit from deeper exploration and characterization. Some plot elements and character motivations may feel slightly underdeveloped, leaving room for further depth. However, these minor shortcomings do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, “The First Lie” is a gripping thriller that earns its four-star rating. A.J. Park’s adept storytelling, combined with a relentless pace and unexpected twists, make this book a must-read for fans of the genre. If you’re seeking a page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this novel delivers a satisfying rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue.

I cannot think of a better thriller read than one that has twists, turns and tensions within that build up throughout- and that is exactly how I would describe this book.

The novel is full of twists and turns, and keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. It explores themes of truth, justice, and the consequences of deception.

Overall, "The First Lie" is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and legal dramas.

A good read, quite a few twists and turns to keep you guessing and the tension never really lets up.

The beginning of this book was good but then it just became very unbelievable
I did enjoy it but you need to suspend disbelief.

Omg......... this book was amazing I flew threw the pages with Olympic speed I was hooked from the very first page. I found it full of twists and turns threw out and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way threw  I would defiantly recommend this book if you like a good book to keep you reading threw the night hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did

Interesting concept, but a bit silly. Well written but for me it didn't live up to expectations. I liked the way the author writes so would read more but this wasn't for me.

This sounded great and was a easy read, but some of it was a bit too far fetched for me.
Definitely a thriller as it kept me hooked.

Very far fetched and dramatic story of a wife of a judge who kills an intruder in their house and the steps they take after that. Silly and not believable but an easy gripping read

An interesting read that I'm glad to have discovered. I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author.

An exciting premise, a promising story and a tale of two people caught up in a life-altering situation from which they can see no way out. That is the basis of this fast paced psychological domestic thriller debut from A.J. Park.

It's something we've all thought about. You're home alone...and then suddenly you're not. Someone breaks in and you're faced with a choice. To kill or be killed. And in defending yourself you end up killing the intruder.

This is what criminal barrister Paul Reeve faces when returning home late one night to find his wife Alice in the bedroom covered in blood...a dead man in the bathroom with a letter opener in the back of his head.

"What have you done, Alice?"

A thousand thoughts race through his mind. He is up for promotion shortly and if he is successful he will make history by being the youngest ever circuit judge in the UK. It's all he ever wanted...all he ever dreamed of. But if he were to report this then he could kiss that opportunity goodbye. There was no way he would even be considered for the position should it become known that his wife had killed a man...even if it was in self defence. And Paul knew the legal system. He knew how hard it was to prove self defence.

With Alice trembling and sobbing in the corner, he makes a snap decision. They will get rid of the body. Bury it where no one will find it. And even if they do, he will ensure that there is no trace of DNA evidence that will link back to them. He's not only doing this for him but for Alice. She doesn't deserve this.

If only he knew what that snap decision meant for them. Where it would lead them. And how it would end... The first lie was just the beginning.

Meanwhile, someone has been killing seemingly random men throughout London. The deaths have been particularly gruesome using the age old method of garroting, seemingly with piano wire - minutely thin, razor sharp and highly effective. There appears to be no entry or exit point for the villain - so how did he get in? And what connects these men to be killed in such a way? This is what DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier are faced with as they investigate the deaths of these rising stars.

Four months later and successful in his promotion, Paul now sits on the bench of the Old Bailey overseeing trials upon which he must judge. But how can pass judgement on others when he himself is not blameless? Although he has managed to put that night aside and move on his wife Alice has not. Since then she has had nightmares and loathes being in the house alone, often begging Paul when he would return home. But as each trial continues, his days get longer and he gets home later...often when Alice has already taken herself off to bed.

As the gap widens between them, life becomes unbearable for the couple in the wake of what they have done, leading to further bad choices and stupid decisions. One such decision will then culminate in a series of events leading to a penultimate head which will threaten to unravel everything Paul has worked so hard to keep together.

"I didn't have a choice..."

The first lie was just the beginning. And now, this is the end...

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, especially after reading the average reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the fact that it is somewhat far-fetched in places, it remained addictive and engaging throughout. You just wanted to find out how it all ended for Paul and Alice and where the murders fit in. And that kept me reading...

The writing is fairly simplistic and easy to read, with those short snappy chapters I love to keep the pace moving. The story unfolds through the multiple narratives of Paul and Alice in the first person, and the police detectives in the third giving us the highlights of their investigation in detail. Paul and Alice's narrative was incredibly emotional, and not always in a good way. Alice particularly was living on a knife edge and got on almost every nerve I had left. Her behaviour was erratic and paranoid bordering on psychotic at times. Paul became careless which lead him into making some rash decisions. Which in turn made Alice even more unstable.

Once the murders were linked, it didn't take me long to work out who orchestrated it and the motive. But it did leave me with the question why. I can't elaborate without revealing spoilers but while it made perfect sense, it also didn't make any sense because of a particular...shall I say...specific. But in any case, I pieced that part of the puzzle together nicely.

Overall, THE FIRST LIE is a fun and addictive read that, while not entirely beliveable, is highly entertaining that had me racing through the pages right up to the surprising end.

I would like to thank #AJPark, #NetGalley and #OrionPublishing for an ARC of #TheFirstLie in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the arc The First Lie by A.J Park..

A good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and thrills. Well-written, great plot. A recommended read.

Brilliant book. I love this author. His books never disappoint.

Many thanks to netgalley and A.J. Park for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

A brilliant, faced paced thriller that keeps you guessing right to the very end!.
The characters were brilliant and believable, the storyline itself was unique and truly grasped my attention from beginning to end. I found myself struggling to put this book down, as i became so invested in this story, needing to find out the outcome as soon as I possibly could!.
A thrilling, fast paced read that hooks you from the start. A definite must read!.

A good fast paced thriller.
Judge Paul Reeve arrives home to find a dead man in his bathroom and his wife hysterical, claiming the man tried to kill her.
What happens next binds Paul and Alice together for the rest of their lives. But then everything starts to unravel...
I did really enjoy this, but felt it got a bit confused towards the end (or maybe it was just me) The whole Bitcoin part of the plot was unnecessarily complicated and much of it seemed unbelievable, but the essence of the story overall was a really clever one.

3 Stars from me

So nearly brilliant...

Great premise and great promise and I so many points I really enjoyed the story.

I don't think I could get over my initial surprise that their first reaction was to hide the body and clean up. However, as SO MUCH was written about how thoroughly they cleaned and how arduous it was to hide the body, I kept thinking that this would end up meaning that they'd missed a tiny detail. (I won't tell you whether I was right or not!).

Quite often, the decisions made by the two lead characters left me shaking my head and unfortunately I found it hard to connect with either of them.

The ending wasn't what I expected and didn't sit entirely right for me either.

A domestic thriller The First Lie by A.J.Park was unfortunately not for me.

I think the main problem was that I just didn't connect with the main two lead characters I found them just not believable Alice comes across as a nut job the other well I have no words, the things that Park has them do especially the character of Paul were completely stupid the man is a judge and to reach that place I just don't think he would have it in his DNA.

I found my mind wandering whilst I was reading which is never a good sign.
The story is rather pedestrian the supporting cast not really well written the detectives were just a side note and I felt didn't really impact the story.
The story just spirals out of control going from interesting to the insane I just couldn't buy into it that people would act this way even if they were mad as hatters.
I wasn't a fan of the ending if I'm honest I hate to give bad reviews as the sheer amount of effort that goes in to producing a novel is vast but it just wasn't for me.

Not worth your time or hard-earned cash.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed reading this book, couldn't put it down, must admit its one that I would happily pick up again and read,
Overall I would recommend to anyone to read it, can't wait to get it on my page and let my followers know what I think about it!