I really enjoyed this book even though it was a bit slow in places. Would like to try more by this author & I would recommend this book it was worth a read.

This is one of those books that had some really great potential, but unfortunately the execution led to it being quite underwhelming. Firstly, the basic plot doesn't make sense to me at all - Paul is portrayed as incredibly ambitious, and so I found his actions to be completely unbelievable. I agree that sometimes people do odd things whilst experiencing extreme stress, but his actions were so completely in contrast to the way his personality is portrayed that it really just invalidated the whole thing to me.

Secondly, there were quite a few examples of the writing being not great - there's a hell of a lot of telling not showing, and the huge chunks of over explanation just killed any tension being built up. Finally, the ending was just completely unsatisfying. I hate with an absolute passion the trend for ending books on any form of cliffhanger - it's irritating and cheap and lazy, and instantly ruins a book for me.

All in all, it's not one I would recommend. Although looking at other reviews I do seem to be firmly in the minority with this opinion, so maybe it's just me!

Disclaimer - I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

A disappointing and lacklustre thriller than left me underwhelmed. Alice and Paul did not gain my sympathy at any stage and the police were very one dimensional. There was no real depth to the characters which I would’ve preferred as they seemed to lean more towards stereotypes. The plot was becoming more and more ridiculous as it limped along the inevitable conclusion.

Oh this was good, so many twists and turns with a very unexpected ending. Well written and engaging thriller - thank you!

There’s a fair bit of eye rolling with this one and I’m sorry to say not always in a good way. Take a job, one female complete and utter fruitcake, one brainless judge, a hitman, a rising body count, a spurned secretary, two dozy police officers and a lot of superfluous detail and you’ve got The First Lie. Paul Reeve is very ambitious and is the youngest Circuit Court Judge in the UK. He arrives home late one night to find his wife Alice covered in blood and a dead man in his bathroom. From here on in, Paul’s catastrophic decision and first lie implodes both his and Alice’s life and those of others. The story is told by Paul and Alice and via the police investigation by DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier.

My biggest issue with the book is the way it is written as I feel that tension is lost in over explanation. The start should have been dramatic and to a certain extent it is but the impact is lost by the mundane description of Paul’s day. I’m sure it is meant to contrast with what Paul finds but it doesn’t work for me. The decisions he makes following his shocking discovery just make me think ‘call the police you dozy pair’ and ‘you’re a judge? Really?’ So, I suppose the book lost me to a large extent and although there are sections that are good but then are followed by descriptions that add little to the unfolding storyline.

Overall, I can see that there are elements that are good - there’s huge ambition, guilt, revenge, threats and manipulation from the characters and I can see that the premise is interesting. I’m sure there will be people who love this book but it doesn’t hit the mark for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Books

WOW what a page turner this was. Gripping from the start. I will definitely look out for more work by this author. Highly recommended

Wow what an opening few pages, drew me into the story line straight away and it just got better and better and I couldn't put it down.

Well developed characters, well written and just got better and better as the story progressed.

I will definitely be looking for more from this author and thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

This is a true page turner that drew me in from the first sentence. It’s fabulously fast paced with plenty of twists to keep you guessing throughout. I thought I had worked out the ending but it took me by total surprise. If you enjoyed Girl on The Train, you’ll really like this book. It’s a fantastic domestic thriller and I’ll definitely read more from this author in future.

When criminal Barrister Paul returns home, he discovers that his wife Alice has murdered an intruder with his letter opener!! Paul in on track to become the youngest circuit judge at 37.

Knowing that he is a Barrister you would presume he would call the police as his wife was acting in self defence but no he decides to bury the body. Who knows what you would do in that split second decision that either way will affect you’re life.

Their decision affects them both in different ways and starts to tear their marriage apart. Their lives will never be the same again now they have blood on their hands and start to look at each other suspiciously.

I did find it slow to begin with but like to think it was laying the foundations for a great book, as the tension slowly builds to boiling point taking you on a twisty, bumpy ride!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.