If You Tell a Lie: A Thriller

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 9,437 ratings

Price: 22.04

Last update: 10-14-2024


About this item

An instant USA Today bestseller.

Bestselling author Lucinda Berry serves up a haunting thriller about four friends sworn to secrecy over the events of one fateful summer—and the dark truths that threaten to erupt years later.

They never considered how his wife might react, or that by the end of the summer a man would be dead. But Blakely always got her way, and the others followed her lead—even when they knew it was dead wrong.

The girls had been friends from day one at Camp Pendleton, a haven for gifted children. But their senior summer was different. When Mr. Crosby, the handsome tennis coach, wound up murdered after a reckless lie, Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera swore themselves to secrecy. And never spoke to each other again.

Until now. Twenty years later a sinister note claiming to know what they did brings them back together. And once again Blakely is pulling the strings.

Unfolding in a dual timeline, If You Tell a Lie is a disturbing journey into the dangerous, sometimes deadly consequences of peer pressure—with a bone-chilling twist you’ll never see coming.


Top reviews from the United States

mnmloveli
4.0 out of 5 stars Speeding train of a read !
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
‘24 - 263 PGS - 4 STARS

DESCRIPTION : They never considered how his wife might react, or that by the end of the summer a man would be dead. But Blakely always got her way, and the others followed her lead—even when they knew it was dead wrong.
The girls had been friends from day one at Camp Pendleton, a haven for gifted children. But their senior summer was different. When Mr. Crosby, the handsome tennis coach, wound up murdered after a reckless lie, Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera swore themselves to secrecy. And never spoke to each other again. Until now. Twenty years later a sinister note claiming to know what they did brings them back together. And once again Blakely is pulling the strings. Unfolding in a dual timeline, If You Tell a Lie is a disturbing journey into the dangerous, sometimes deadly consequences of peer pressure—with a bone-chilling twist you’ll never see coming.

REVIEW :

Previous books by this author for me were Keep Your Friends Close (‘23 - Read ‘24 - 2 Stars), Off the Deep End (‘23 - 4 Stars), Saving Noah (‘17 - Read ‘23 - 4 Stars), The Secrets of Us (‘22 - 4 Stars), Under Her Care (‘22 - 3 Stars), The Best of Friends (‘20 - 4 Stars) and The Perfect Child (‘19 - 4 Stars).

Earned Double Kindle Reward Points with this purchase.

Dark and twisty thriller that kept me shocked at every unexpected turn. I had a hard time pushing the “pause” button when life or bedtime got in the way. One simple lie can cause such horror even many many years later. This book kept getting better and better with each chapter. Don’t think you can call any of the characters likable, but what a story! I don’t want to say too much so I don’t ruin it for anyone else.
Eloise Finch
3.0 out of 5 stars Wasn't Impressed
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2024
Listen, some of the writing was really well done. The dynamic of the girls was well written. The way some of them struggled with certain things was also well written. My favorite chapter is when one of them discusses her struggle with her faith after something tragic happens to her family. It felt real and raw, and I could relate to it.

However, the ending was unimpressive, and I'm left with a couple of questions. It wasn't hard to guess, quite what was going to happen. I don't see myself recommending it to anyone else.
Lori
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Star Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
????????liar, liar, truths on fire????????
If You Tell A Lie
By: Lucinda Berry
Genre: Thriller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

????Lucinda did NOT disappoint with her new book, yall! Ive been super busy in clinic with back to school so Ive procrastinated on this review, but you should NOT! RUN and get this one if you love her past books or if you love a good thriller filled with secrets, manipulation, and murder! This is fast-paced story following a group of girls who reunite 20 years after a note surfaces that ultimately reconnects them after being sworn to secrecy following a murder back when they were teenagers and best friends for life. I cant say anything else! Just make sure you read this one before the summer is up!

????️ twists you wont see coming
???? best friends for life ( or not? )
???? MC4R gene mutation rep
???? triggers: binge eating, OCD, child abuse, affairs

QUOTABLES:
“Blakely had just given us another secret to eat. But guess what? I was full.”
“Sometimes there were wounds you just couldn’t heal from, even after they became scars.”
“Social contagion is a real thing. Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws because I so desperately want an explanation for our incomprehensible behavior.”

@schmorireads
Customer image
Lori
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Star Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
????????liar, liar, truths on fire????????
If You Tell A Lie
By: Lucinda Berry
Genre: Thriller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

????Lucinda did NOT disappoint with her new book, yall! Ive been super busy in clinic with back to school so Ive procrastinated on this review, but you should NOT! RUN and get this one if you love her past books or if you love a good thriller filled with secrets, manipulation, and murder! This is fast-paced story following a group of girls who reunite 20 years after a note surfaces that ultimately reconnects them after being sworn to secrecy following a murder back when they were teenagers and best friends for life. I cant say anything else! Just make sure you read this one before the summer is up!

????️ twists you wont see coming
???? best friends for life ( or not? )
???? MC4R gene mutation rep
???? triggers: binge eating, OCD, child abuse, affairs

QUOTABLES:
“Blakely had just given us another secret to eat. But guess what? I was full.”
“Sometimes there were wounds you just couldn’t heal from, even after they became scars.”
“Social contagion is a real thing. Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws because I so desperately want an explanation for our incomprehensible behavior.”

@schmorireads
Images in this review
Customer image
Katherine Galvez
4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
This book had me both loving and hating it at times. "If You Tell a Lie" by Lucinda Berry follows the story of four best friends, with the narrative split between two timelines: one when they were teenagers and another years later when they must confront the consequences of their poor choices. The characters are complex and relatable, embodying both qualities you love to see in a story and traits that might frustrate you. There's the spoiled girl, the know-it-all who no one listens to, the believer, and the curvy friend who learns to love herself and feels unstoppable.

The story takes a dark turn when the friends—Thera, Grace, and Meg—receive a letter from Blakely that prompts a reunion to discuss a past event. However, the reunion quickly spirals into a nightmare when Blakely confesses that there's a body that needs to be dealt with—and it might not be the first time these four have faced such a horrifying situation. The twists and turns kept me on edge, making it a compelling read despite the mixed emotions it evoked.
Rachael C.
3.0 out of 5 stars ok
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
So this is the second Lucinda Berry book I e read and they both left me when soooo many unanswered questions. I felt like the ending of this was rushed and the storyline was odd. It was a total buildup to nothing really. Like I figured it wasn’t what it seemed but it wasn’t just like OHMIGOD! So idk it was ok. I probably wouldn’t recommend
chasindreams28
5.0 out of 5 stars What a read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2024
Just incredible. I loved the twist and it's a good reminder to remember that not everyone is who they seem to be.
Em
2.0 out of 5 stars love Berry, hated this book
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2024
The ending was not there at all. I was shocked when I reached the ending because it just … didn’t even have one??? Most of the characters lacked any growth even though it takes place over a period of 20 years. I usually love her books, but this one really sucked. :(
JessicaP
4.0 out of 5 stars Good twist, bad ending
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
I was on the fence about this book in the beginning. I couldn’t keep up with the 4 girls and their perspectives AND the time frames. But as I got to know their personalities better, I was able to keep it together.

You’re going back and forth between past and present and each girls memories and their lives today. Some spots were a bit harsh to read (TW: murder, SA talk), but it all comes together in the end. Just when I thought I had figured it out I was wrong. I loved the twist.

The ending was a bit bland. I would have liked an update from someone else’s perspective. I won’t say names for spoiler reasons, but it would have been nice. I don’t feel like it should have ended where it did.

With all that said, I enjoy Lucinda Berrys books!

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