This was a good book, it was fast paced and kept me engaged. There were times when it frustrated me thinking would this really happen, but I guess anything is possible when caught in that kind of situation.
The characters weren’t particularly likeable, I mean they had covered up a murder but I did find some empathy for them.
It did leave me guessing what would happen next and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Overall it was a pretty decent read, with a good plot and well written.

Thanks netgalley for this ARC. Alice never meant to kill her intruder. Husband Paul helps her get rid of the body but can they continue their life as a lie.

Enjoyed this book. A little slow in parts but good read.

Look forward to more from this author

Although I didn’t particularly like the two main characters this did not detract from being a well plotted, page turning story. I finished it in less than a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. A great summer thriller.

When Paul Reeve comes home to find his wife in the bathroom, bloodied and shaking, his survival instinct kicks in
Alice never meant to kill the intruder. She was at home, alone, and terrified. She doesn't deserve to be blamed for it. Covering up the murder is their only option.

But the crime eats away at the couple and soon they can't trust anyone - even one another...

This book had great promise and after reading the summary of it I was really looking forward to reading it. However even though it started off really good I found it lost it’s way a bit and at times was quite unbelievable at what was happening.

This story started off strong with Paul coming home to find his wife at home with an intruder, they then have to cover their tracks by telling the first lie. The story then follows them in the aftermath of that night., which is of course tests their marriage and wellbeing. Then the story for me lost it's momentum halfway, neither lead characters were likeable and the story limped to a just ok ending. Such a shame as the start was very strong.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the copy in exchange for a honest review.

A very fun and gripping read, full of twists and turns!

I look forward to read more from this author, a very promising debut!

I loved this book. So many twists and turns. Lies, murders and deceit. Would definitely reccomend - a page turner

I loved this book. So many twists and turns. Lies, murders and deceit. Ultimately what would you be prepared to do for your loved one. A well written novel that kep me hooked until the end.

I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. How far would you go for your partner? Would you lie? Would you hide a body? Would you commit murder? That is pretty much the basis of this story. Not sure that I find it believable but then again I do not have a partner, so I might change my mind if I did. I loved the storyline though

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Loved this. Had me hooked from page 1
This genre is generally not my thing but I've read more and more thanks to NetGalley which is fab

This is a debut novel but wow what a debut

I absolutely loved the story and characters. Lots of turns and twists that were unexpected

Had a wonderful time reading this

Devoted husband and barrister Paul Reeve comes home from work and is greeted with the scene of his devasted wife Alice sobbing and an unknown man dead in the bathroom. After a short discussion about the effect ringing the police would have on their lives, they decide to try and get rid of the body. It was good that Paul knew a lot about murder scenes having tried cases where microscopic DNA specks have led to convictions. They manage to get rid of the body, but Alice is left traumatised by the events and quickly slumps into a depression that is made worse when she discovers that Paul is not as honest or devoted to her as she thought. The lies just keep coming in the cover-up. How far are they prepared to go to protect themselves? The book goes on to describe how the couple dealt with the incident and the police investigation of the murder of three individuals who had their throat cut.

I really enjoyed this thriller but at some points I found it a bit far-fetched. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I love a book that has me hooked right from the beginning and this one ticked that box! I raced through it in 2 days. What an exciting debut. I will be reading more from this author.

Paul returns from work to find his house in darkness and his front door open. He finds his wife, Alice, huddled on their bed, covered in blood, and a dead man in the bathroom holding a piece of wire. Alice has killed him.

Alice is in shock so Paul has to take the decision of what to do next. As a judge, he knows what would happen if the police got involved so he decides to dispose of the body and clean the house to get rid of any evidence. They have no idea who the man is or why he came to murder Alice.

Alice becomes more and more depressed and paranoid as time goes on, finding it increasingly difficult to live with what they have done. She begins to suspect her husband is having an affair.

The police come calling about what appears to be an unrelated case, the murders of three other solicitors who may have had a connection to Paul.

Can their marriage survive such a huge lie?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion for a free copy in return for an honest review.

Gosh what a mixed up book that was! Finished it in a confused state and even hours later I can’t work out who liked/ loved/ hated who and why on earth they all did what they did. Not to mention how we got on to bitcoins. Sorry needs a strong editorial steer to make what initially seemed a good idea into a good book.

Amazing I really enjoyed this!! kept me gripped and guessing right until the very end!! Cannot wait to read more from this author!!

The First Lie was a book I had no idea which direction it was going to go in.
Paul Reeve arrives home to find his wife distraught beyond belief, covered in blood and a man dead in the bathroom. Paul is a top barrister and knows his wife will be sent to prison so decides they must dispose of the body themselves. This in itself was a gripping read, I would have no idea what to do but with this being part of Paul’s everyday life he knows how to not contaminate the body so with the aide of his wife they manage to dispose of it but Alice seems to never get over it and slips into a depression that is made worse when she discovers her up husband isn’t quite as devoted to her as she first thought.
Alive did what she did as she was scared he was an intruder in their own house but with the knowledge they are unable to have a child together and that the trust has gone it’s simply who can get away with what and for how long.
I really enjoyed this thriller and found it fast paced and enjoyed the fact I never knew what alive was thinking and which way the book was going to go.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for this Arc I received in exchange for an honest review.

A fast-paced read, full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Paul Reeve, criminal lawyer returns home late one evening. He finds his wife Alice covered in blood, sitting in their bedroom. She has killed an intruder. Paul convinces Alice to cover up the crime as he is due for promotion as a circuit Judge.

Meanwhile there has been a killer on loose and the cops are nowhere never solving these crimes.

Alice finds it difficult to come to terms with what she has done and the cover up. She needs Paul constantly by her side, which due to mounting work pressure he cannot be. Meanwhile the cops are closing in on the possible killer and the reason behind the killings.

The story is given voice by both Paul and Lucy and the flow is pretty good. Its a gripping domestic tbriller. The ending could have had a bit more punch.

Thank you Netgalley, Orion and AJ Park for the ARC

Paul arrives home one October night to an open door and a dark house. He finds his wife Alice upstairs and covered in blood, a dead body in the bath. What do you do?

I had great expectations of this book as I’d seen so much about it in the media but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Alice became obsessive and paranoid and Paul turned to drink and the story of his three friends who were murdered seemed to be in the background even though it was an important part of the novel.

I liked the way in which the two main characters spiralled out of control in their own way and how they came together finally in the end but would have liked a bit more from the detective story.

I would definitely read a book by AJ Park again but found this left me feeling a little flat, even though the premise was good and it was well written and easy to read.

Paul Reeve is a barrister with his eyes on a top job as the youngest court judge. He arrives home one night to find the door open. His wife Alice covered in Blood in the bedroom and a dead man in his bathroom. Instantly he springs into action. They devise a plan to hide the body and to get on with their lives.
However, the night has a dramatic effect on both of then. In particular Alices mental health. This leads to more lies and cover ups as their world crumbles around them.
I loved the story and found it a very easy read. At times Alice was totally annoying. However, what would you do?. How would his life have changed if they had just told the truth.

#NetGalley. #thefirstlie #A.J.Park

The First Lie is a compelling and engaging domestic thriller and gripping début.

Paul Reeve arrives home to find his wife Alice sitting alone in the dark with blood on her hands, and a dead intruder in the bathroom. With his promotion to judgeship hanging in the balance, the couple decide to conceal the crime instead of calling the police, afraid for Paul's career as well as Alice's freedom. So why did an intruder enter the Reeve's house and what or who were they after? As a marriage is exposed with secrets, lies and duplicity, everything is thrown into a tailspin. That dreadful October night transforms Paul's and Alice's life from the moment their decision is made, and makes for a unsettling and dark read that chilled me to the bone.

A.J. Park's immersive description combined with the intense feelings leaching from the characters made me think I was part of the story. It is told in alternating chapters by Alice and by Paul with glimpses into the police investigation of DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier.

For the Reeves, after this first lie that no one knows, life doesn’t return to normality. Paul does his best to pretend everything is all right and appears to be coping. Alice though, falls into a great chasm of depression, guilt, resentfulness and constant neediness. As they pay the price for telling such a big lie, they cover it up with further lies and soon a gulf opens between Paul and Alice as they become ensnared in their web of dishonesty.

The First Lie is a well-told psychological crime thriller which perfectly depicts the toxicity of a mammoth lie, and the intervention of fate.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.