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Maeve Conlon #1
Once Upon a Lie
Maeve Conlon's life is coming apart at the seams. Her bakery is barely making ends meet, and one of her daughters spends as much time grounded as the other does studying. Her ex-husband has a new wife, a new baby, and a look of pity for Maeve that's absolutely infuriating. Her father insists he's still independent, but he's slowly and obviously succumbing to Alzheimer's. And now, her cousin Sean Donovan has been found dead, sitting in his car in a public park, shot through the head.
There was never much love lost between Maeve and Sean and she's not exactly devastated by his death, but suddenly the police are poking around asking the family questions. It's just one more hassle Maeve doesn't have time for, until she realizes that her father, whose memory and judgment are unreliable at best, is a suspect in the murder. Maeve is determined to clear his name, but is she prepared to cope with the dark memories and long-hidden secrets that doing so might dredge up?
Maggie Barbieri will mesmerize readers with Once Upon a Lie, a gripping novel about family, justice, and the choices we make that define who we are.
There was never much love lost between Maeve and Sean and she's not exactly devastated by his death, but suddenly the police are poking around asking the family questions. It's just one more hassle Maeve doesn't have time for, until she realizes that her father, whose memory and judgment are unreliable at best, is a suspect in the murder. Maeve is determined to clear his name, but is she prepared to cope with the dark memories and long-hidden secrets that doing so might dredge up?
Maggie Barbieri will mesmerize readers with Once Upon a Lie, a gripping novel about family, justice, and the choices we make that define who we are.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 10, 2013
72 people are currently reading
2856 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Barbieri
15 books188 followersMaggie Barbieri is the author of the Murder 101 series, which is comprised of Murder 101 (2006); Extracurricular Activities (2007), Quick Study (2008), Final Exam (2009) and Third Degree (due November 2010.) She lives in the New York metro area/Hudson Valley with her husband, and two children. By day she's a writer and editor of college textbooks. She is currently at work on the sixth book in the series, still untitled.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
October 28, 2013
I received this book through a contest through Publisher's Weekly. This book is categorized as a thriller. There were very few thrills. I knew from the first chapter how the story was going to end. So disappointing. The number of times the author referred to the gun in the purse was ridiculous. The protagonist didn't feel likable or relatable and not enough detail was really given about her cousin. I took it on vacation and had nothing else to read, otherwise I wouldn't have finished it.
October 29, 2013
I received ‘Once Upon A Lie’ by Maggie Barbieri from a Goodreads giveaway drawing.
Having read and loved all of Barbieri’s Murder 101 series, I was quite game to read her newest book, which I found to be captivating to the very end. From the very beginning of the story, I sensed the book would be somewhat different from my usual cozy mysteries and I was right. Your typical mystery it is not. The main characters were limited in number, so as not to muddle the mind, and they were done very well in my opinion. Maeve’s life seemed overwhelmed and there was very little joy expressed. The manner in which she chose to face her troubled past was a bit surprising and disturbing. However, I admired the love and faithful attention shown to her father and her patience with his heart-breaking disease. Her determination to make life better for those around her shone through to the end, despite the secrets that shaped her life.
Book summary: As the owner of a local bakery, Maeve works long hours at the store with a half-hearted employee who seems mediocre at best. She is a strict, single mom to two teenage daughters, one who often tests the limits at every turn. Her ex-husband tries to be supportive, but he has a new family to consider. Maeve hasn’t quite come to terms with her feelings of his betrayal and the fact that his new wife was once her best friend.
The majority of the story centers around her fierce love and loyalty to her dad, who is in a facility with Alzheimers, and the murder of her no-good cousin, Sean. Lies hide the deep emotional scars Sean inflicted on her since childhood. When her dad becomes high on the list of suspects and Maeve does her best to persuade Detective Rodney that a man in his condition is incapable of murder. His lucidity comes and goes and often he can barely remember what he ate for breakfast.
Between Sean’s well-deserved murder, dealing with her dad, and trying to help a young battered family, her emotions almost get the better of her. When she is nearly at a breaking point, Detective Rodney reveals some startling information about her past, as well as insight into her present state.
Having read and loved all of Barbieri’s Murder 101 series, I was quite game to read her newest book, which I found to be captivating to the very end. From the very beginning of the story, I sensed the book would be somewhat different from my usual cozy mysteries and I was right. Your typical mystery it is not. The main characters were limited in number, so as not to muddle the mind, and they were done very well in my opinion. Maeve’s life seemed overwhelmed and there was very little joy expressed. The manner in which she chose to face her troubled past was a bit surprising and disturbing. However, I admired the love and faithful attention shown to her father and her patience with his heart-breaking disease. Her determination to make life better for those around her shone through to the end, despite the secrets that shaped her life.
Book summary: As the owner of a local bakery, Maeve works long hours at the store with a half-hearted employee who seems mediocre at best. She is a strict, single mom to two teenage daughters, one who often tests the limits at every turn. Her ex-husband tries to be supportive, but he has a new family to consider. Maeve hasn’t quite come to terms with her feelings of his betrayal and the fact that his new wife was once her best friend.
The majority of the story centers around her fierce love and loyalty to her dad, who is in a facility with Alzheimers, and the murder of her no-good cousin, Sean. Lies hide the deep emotional scars Sean inflicted on her since childhood. When her dad becomes high on the list of suspects and Maeve does her best to persuade Detective Rodney that a man in his condition is incapable of murder. His lucidity comes and goes and often he can barely remember what he ate for breakfast.
Between Sean’s well-deserved murder, dealing with her dad, and trying to help a young battered family, her emotions almost get the better of her. When she is nearly at a breaking point, Detective Rodney reveals some startling information about her past, as well as insight into her present state.
April 27, 2015
When reading an advanced reading copy of upcoming Lies That Bind (Maeve Conlon #2) Feb 17, 2015, by Maggie Barbieri, was curious about the characters, and the intriguing back story, I immediately stopped the second book to purchase Once Upon a Lie (Maeve Colon #1).
Maeve is no ordinary woman. She knows pain and suffering. Currently her life is in constant chaos. The Comfort Zone, her bakery is barely surviving, her ex-husband, Cal and younger wife have a new baby, trying to balance home and work with two daughters, her father has Alzheimer’s and each passing day, slowly fading, and her evil cousin, Sean is dead (yeah, let’s celebrate). And she manages to keep her wit (she is hilarious), and her friendship with fellow employee and friend, Jo (kinda ditsy, divorced and cancer survivor) wants to speed date and get back on the horse.
Her father, Jack, a former cop, is a suspect in the murder, and currently living in an assisted living home love him, as full of dark humor with his friends and funny one liners. Some days he remembers, and some not. Is this for real or just a show?
Edgy! The audiobook was both witty and intense. Maggie Barbieri is an author I will be adding to my favorite list - love her style. The narrator, Kathleen Mary Carthy delivered an outstanding performance with her dark and mysterious sarcastic humor, keeping me entertained for hours.
Once Upon a Lie (Maeve Colon #1) is not a cozy simple mystery, it is engrossing, suspenseful, and complex keeping you on the “edge of your seat”, turning the pages to learn the fate of this colorful and eccentric cast of characters.
Loving this newfound author and cannot wait to get back to Lies That Bind (Maeve Conlon #2). An intriguing series of family, friendships, and lies . . Read them both, Highly recommend!
Maeve is no ordinary woman. She knows pain and suffering. Currently her life is in constant chaos. The Comfort Zone, her bakery is barely surviving, her ex-husband, Cal and younger wife have a new baby, trying to balance home and work with two daughters, her father has Alzheimer’s and each passing day, slowly fading, and her evil cousin, Sean is dead (yeah, let’s celebrate). And she manages to keep her wit (she is hilarious), and her friendship with fellow employee and friend, Jo (kinda ditsy, divorced and cancer survivor) wants to speed date and get back on the horse.
Her father, Jack, a former cop, is a suspect in the murder, and currently living in an assisted living home love him, as full of dark humor with his friends and funny one liners. Some days he remembers, and some not. Is this for real or just a show?
Edgy! The audiobook was both witty and intense. Maggie Barbieri is an author I will be adding to my favorite list - love her style. The narrator, Kathleen Mary Carthy delivered an outstanding performance with her dark and mysterious sarcastic humor, keeping me entertained for hours.
Once Upon a Lie (Maeve Colon #1) is not a cozy simple mystery, it is engrossing, suspenseful, and complex keeping you on the “edge of your seat”, turning the pages to learn the fate of this colorful and eccentric cast of characters.
Loving this newfound author and cannot wait to get back to Lies That Bind (Maeve Conlon #2). An intriguing series of family, friendships, and lies . . Read them both, Highly recommend!
April 12, 2014
This one was a bit of a yawner, one that I was glad to be done with. The premise had promise, I was intrigued about the thought of the old fellow with dementia possible being a murderer, his alibis all over the place because he doesn't remember anything, but it was a disappointment. The essential mystery is the murder of the main character's (Maeve)evil cousin, Sean. He had been a babysitter for Maeve when she was young and was a serial abuser. Who killed Sean? Was it Maeve in a much delayed act of revenge? Her 80 year old father suffering from dementia? Her good daughter? Her rebellious daughter? Sean's wife? I did like that there was a bit of mystery about it but so many of the situations were just odd. The way the police handled the investigation was just goofy. Speed dating? And the fact that we are reminded by the author over and over that Maeve has a gun in her purse got old. Her purse is heavy...why? Because she has a gun in there! There is a hole in her purse, why? Because there is a gun in there! There is an un-gay in her urse-pay. Don't forget. Maybe I'm just cranky today, but it was irritating. Leave some mystery in the mystery.
November 30, 2013
Once Upon a Lie by Maggie Barbieri is December 2013 Minotuar Books publication. I received copy of this book from the early review program at Library Thing in exchange for an honest review.
Maeve's life is far from fairytale perfect. Yes, she's a "soccer mom", but... she is divorced, her ex-husband, Cal, having dumped her for a high maintence younger woman. She is raising her two girls, one of which is going through some sowing of wild oats. Maeve and Cal at times do not agree on the right approach to parenting. She is trying to keep her bakery shop afloat, and take care of her father, Jack. Jack, a former police officer, is in an assisted living facilty suffering from alzheimers.
Maeve's assistant at the shop, Jo, is recovering from a divorce as well as from cancer treatment. Jo is nice, but sometimes she's not all that much help.
When Maeve's cousin, Sean, is murdered, Maeve is hardly broken up over it. In fact, it's all she can do to keep from dancing on his grave. But, when the police begin to investigate it becomes clear that Jack had pulled a disappearing act from the assisted living facility at the exact same time Sean was murdered. He quickly becomes a suspect.
If all this weren't tangled up enough, Maeve is a witness to a domestic dispute in her shop that has her very concerned for the wife and children.
I really enjoyed this book. This is a new to me author. This is a dark, twisty little story about abuse, family, grief, lies, secrets, and the realities of life and one woman's desperate attempt to keep her family safe.
This one is "outside the box" and we need more like it. Overall this one is an A+
Maeve's life is far from fairytale perfect. Yes, she's a "soccer mom", but... she is divorced, her ex-husband, Cal, having dumped her for a high maintence younger woman. She is raising her two girls, one of which is going through some sowing of wild oats. Maeve and Cal at times do not agree on the right approach to parenting. She is trying to keep her bakery shop afloat, and take care of her father, Jack. Jack, a former police officer, is in an assisted living facilty suffering from alzheimers.
Maeve's assistant at the shop, Jo, is recovering from a divorce as well as from cancer treatment. Jo is nice, but sometimes she's not all that much help.
When Maeve's cousin, Sean, is murdered, Maeve is hardly broken up over it. In fact, it's all she can do to keep from dancing on his grave. But, when the police begin to investigate it becomes clear that Jack had pulled a disappearing act from the assisted living facility at the exact same time Sean was murdered. He quickly becomes a suspect.
If all this weren't tangled up enough, Maeve is a witness to a domestic dispute in her shop that has her very concerned for the wife and children.
I really enjoyed this book. This is a new to me author. This is a dark, twisty little story about abuse, family, grief, lies, secrets, and the realities of life and one woman's desperate attempt to keep her family safe.
This one is "outside the box" and we need more like it. Overall this one is an A+
December 13, 2013
Wow, as a reader of Ms. Barbieri's Murder 101 series, I was totally unprepared for how much darker this book would be. Maeve Conlon is struggling with owning a business, a father with Alzheimer's and two teenage daughters. Her ex-husband left her and married a woman who supposedly was her friend. Now, the murder of her cousin Sean has opened a can of worms in Maeve's life as the cops look at her father as a possible suspect.
Maeve is really sort of an anti-hero. From the beginning of the book Maeve is obviously antagonistic towards Sean and as the book goes on we discover why. Maeve realizes that one of her customers is abusing his wife and children and she embarks on a campaign to make him stop, ultimately taking a drastic step to protect the victims. Maeve is also skirting the edges of trouble with the detective who is investigating Sean's murder in her efforts to exonerate her father.
This is the first book in a series and it is a heck of a beginning. From the beginning to the end. it is a page turner and I was fascinated to see what would happen next. It will be interesting to see how this character develops.
Maeve is really sort of an anti-hero. From the beginning of the book Maeve is obviously antagonistic towards Sean and as the book goes on we discover why. Maeve realizes that one of her customers is abusing his wife and children and she embarks on a campaign to make him stop, ultimately taking a drastic step to protect the victims. Maeve is also skirting the edges of trouble with the detective who is investigating Sean's murder in her efforts to exonerate her father.
This is the first book in a series and it is a heck of a beginning. From the beginning to the end. it is a page turner and I was fascinated to see what would happen next. It will be interesting to see how this character develops.
February 6, 2014
Disappointimg. Maeve Conlon is a victim of sexual and physical abuse by a vicious cousin who has been murdered. Not really believable the lengths to which PD would go to trap her dementia stricken father for the killing. Spoiler alert. While I can sympathize with her, I can't justify her actions. Ex husband, best friend daughters cliched. Wondered if her sullen daughter might be next.
August 4, 2020
Once upon a Lie was a mediocre thriller, in my opinion. It’s about a woman named Maeve, a divorced mother of two girls, running a bakery called the ‘Comfort Zone,’ while trying to take care of her elderly father who has dementia and habitually wanders away from his care center. Maeve has a cousin named Sean who found in a park with a gunshot wound to his head. As the book continues, Seans dark past is revealed and gives Maeve’s father a motive for being a suspect in his murder. As detectives circle in, Maeve wonders if he was capable of committing murder and how to protect him and what this might mean for her future. There is also the surrounding mystery of Maeve’s mother’s death and how that happened when Maeve was a child. Another subplot: Maeve notices when a certain family comes into the bakery and tries to determine if there is domestic abuse and what she can do about that.
The writing is fine, I don’t have any complaints about that, and it’s an easy read in terms of substance. It just feels a bit overstuffed and plods along before sputtering out. There’s a lot of attention spent on a gun in a purse and it felt like it just came to nothing.
3/10
Content: Language, violence, murder, mention of paying someone for sex, child abuse.
No favorite quotes.
The writing is fine, I don’t have any complaints about that, and it’s an easy read in terms of substance. It just feels a bit overstuffed and plods along before sputtering out. There’s a lot of attention spent on a gun in a purse and it felt like it just came to nothing.
3/10
Content: Language, violence, murder, mention of paying someone for sex, child abuse.
No favorite quotes.
February 4, 2018
I would like to Maggie Barbieri for writing this story. It was absolutely mesmerizing and made me listen/read to the end.
I've been mesmerized in reading about the way a woman who's got a lot on her plate (her dad has dementia, 1 of her daughter's is going off the rails, her ex husband isn't listening to her and her bakery is looking like it's going down hill). Her cousin has been shot in the head in a public car park. Who shot him, why are the police blaming Maeve's dad? Did he kill his own nephew or is he is being framed for a murder he didn't do?
You need to read this compelling and psychological murder story and see what happened to Sean Donovan.
I've been mesmerized in reading about the way a woman who's got a lot on her plate (her dad has dementia, 1 of her daughter's is going off the rails, her ex husband isn't listening to her and her bakery is looking like it's going down hill). Her cousin has been shot in the head in a public car park. Who shot him, why are the police blaming Maeve's dad? Did he kill his own nephew or is he is being framed for a murder he didn't do?
You need to read this compelling and psychological murder story and see what happened to Sean Donovan.
April 26, 2021
One Upon A Lie was an entertaining murder mystery, though somewhat predictable. I enjoyed her style of writing and the who-done-it kind of mystery.
December 29, 2013
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Once Upon A Lie was one of those books that I just could not put down. I can very easily say that it was one of the better books I have recently read. The characters are so well written and multi-dimensional it was very easy to connect with them. I loved Maeve and the way she tried to stay on top of everything from her wayward father to her sneaky daughter. I found myself laughing when she busted her daughter at the party and how she did so. Her friend and employee, Jo is another character who really added some depth, and often comic relief, to the story. She has had such a horrible time recently that when Maeve tells her story, you can see how much love she has for her friend. Then there is Maeve's relationship with her ex, Cal. It is unique because while Cal destroyed their marriage by having an affair with her friend, he still has a fondness for Maeve that shows itself by his kisses on her forehead, stopping by her shop, and many other ways. It was just another facet of the book that kept you interested and hooked
Once Upon A Lie was one of those books that I just could not put down. I can very easily say that it was one of the better books I have recently read. The characters are so well written and multi-dimensional it was very easy to connect with them. I loved Maeve and the way she tried to stay on top of everything from her wayward father to her sneaky daughter. I found myself laughing when she busted her daughter at the party and how she did so. Her friend and employee, Jo is another character who really added some depth, and often comic relief, to the story. She has had such a horrible time recently that when Maeve tells her story, you can see how much love she has for her friend. Then there is Maeve's relationship with her ex, Cal. It is unique because while Cal destroyed their marriage by having an affair with her friend, he still has a fondness for Maeve that shows itself by his kisses on her forehead, stopping by her shop, and many other ways. It was just another facet of the book that kept you interested and hooked
January 23, 2014
I was hooked on this book from the start. Maggie pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the end. Her newest suspense/ thriller is fast-paced with strong, vivid characters that have you caught up in the story. The plot was fantastic and well written. I really liked the main character, Maeve Conlon, she is a divorced mother trying to keep things going. She has a lot to deal with and finding the real killer is on of the things that she is doing to clear her father as the suspect of Sean's death.
This book had me up late reading it, it was so good. I had to know what was going to happen next.
I look forward to the next read by Maggie!
This book had me up late reading it, it was so good. I had to know what was going to happen next.
I look forward to the next read by Maggie!
February 11, 2014
My advice is, don't bother with this mystery. I didn't find the characters compelling or interesting enough to root for, and the murder mystery was ho-hum. The serious topics discussed (sexual and physical abuse of children, domestic violence) were utilized mainly as justifications for a variety of other issues.....although one of those story lines rang true (recognizing it in others once you have experienced it yourself). But overall, I'm glad this was a library book and not a purchase.
January 19, 2014
First let me give props to barbieri for completing a novel and getting it published. That is an accomplishment. But the book itself? It was filled with cliches. She had a few original turns of phrase, but every page had cliches. Also, the main character was very annoying and unlikeable. I think this would have worked better as a draft that got reworked significantly before publishing.
January 23, 2014
Holy cow! I don't know why I thought this was going to be some fun little cozy mystery because it was not. What I got instead was an intense story that had me reading in the middle of the night because I had to know who did what and why they did it. I wound up deeply involved in the lives of Maeve and her friends and family and I so wasn't ready to let them go when the book ended. Excellent read!
January 13, 2014
This book was awful. Mystery was lame, the whodunnit was lame. As I commented earlier, Jack did not act like a man with dementia. I didn't like any of the characters. Not sure where I found this book to put on my "to-read" list, but I wish I hadn't!
October 14, 2014
I didn't finish it. The premise is promising enough but the subplots seem ridiculous. The main character is a woman taking care of her "octagenarian father who has dementia." How can this be entertaining?
January 11, 2014
Slow and boring. Only the barest of hints at what had happened.
June 3, 2015
Quite a book, fast moving and a thriller. Glad it was recommended to me and I like this author. Hope to read more of her books.
November 7, 2021
I just have so many issues with this book.
First and foremost it is in no way a “thriller” as the cover suggests. I’m not even sure it would qualify as suspense. Just a mystery. And not a very good one at that. The reveal felt sloppy and not in line with the rest of the book at all.
My biggest problem was with the way the author chose to right several pivotal scenes. Instead of building suspense through a first hand account, all of the biggest turning points in the book are instead summarized after they’ve occurred.
Very disappointing based on the reviews I saw for it. And the fact that this is the first in a series is just mind blowing to me. Why would you want to spend more time with these characters?? NOPE.
First and foremost it is in no way a “thriller” as the cover suggests. I’m not even sure it would qualify as suspense. Just a mystery. And not a very good one at that. The reveal felt sloppy and not in line with the rest of the book at all.
My biggest problem was with the way the author chose to right several pivotal scenes. Instead of building suspense through a first hand account, all of the biggest turning points in the book are instead summarized after they’ve occurred.
Very disappointing based on the reviews I saw for it. And the fact that this is the first in a series is just mind blowing to me. Why would you want to spend more time with these characters?? NOPE.
December 20, 2023
The hero of this book, Maeve, is quite a character. She carries around secrets that have to do with her cousin abusing her as a child. When that cousin is found in his car, pants around his ankles, shot to death, the police seem to suspect her father, who has Alzheimer’s and is also an ex-cop. Maeve is trying to manage her bakery business, her beloved father, and her two teenage daughters, and now has the added responsibility of clearing her father’s name. Justice is finally served, but not without a lot of stress and frustration on Maeve’s part. I liked Maeve a lot. She’s a spitfire and gets things done. There’s a lot of funny dialogue and action in this book, despite the child abuse and murders.
July 3, 2017
A really excellent book. Without giving away the ending, I kinda knew the main suspect was innocent, it just didnt fit and about ten pages from the end I realised that there really could only be one person responsible for Sean Donovan's death but I still got a jolt when the confession happened so kudos to the author for executing that so well. Her style is unusual for the genre but very readable. I enjoyed the main character, I thought she was very well done and believable. All in all a great read and cant wait for the next novel in the series
July 17, 2017
Despite the rather dark start, I initially thought the book a humorous mystery--right through the first half. Yes, it dealt with some dark issues, child abuse, Alzheimer's, spousal abuse, but an undercurrent of lightness wove around the dark.
The second half of the book sucker punched me. No spoilers here, but I read the second half of this book in one sitting unable to put it down, hungry for more. Barbieri has the unreliable narrator done to a "T." It's enough to make the some of the unbelievable details in the start of the book forgivable.
The second half of the book sucker punched me. No spoilers here, but I read the second half of this book in one sitting unable to put it down, hungry for more. Barbieri has the unreliable narrator done to a "T." It's enough to make the some of the unbelievable details in the start of the book forgivable.
August 22, 2023
Pretty steady writing with a few interesting characters. I liked the main character, Maeve, a lot; she puts up with a lot of shit - from her youngest daughter, some of her customers, her "employee" and friend, Jo, her ex and his new wife, and doesn't appear to lose control much. This book didn't have a lot of scary scenarios or putting Maeve in much danger of being physically hurt, and that's part of what I liked about it. The ending was a total surprise. All through the book she seems innocent, and then, well, there it is. Bam. Can't wait to start the next book in the Maeve Conlon series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2022
This was an okay mystery. I wouldn't call it a thriller. The weaknesses to me were the constant reference to the gun in her purse and the treatment by the PD of an alzheimer's patient. They constantly were trying to talk to him with no guardian present. The reveal was not shocking it was pretty obvious to me early on. I did like the characters and the relationship between Maeve and her father.
February 9, 2018
IT IS NOT A THRILLER OR SUSPENSEFUL IF THE AUTHOR SIMPLY WITHHOLDS INFORMATION. .
And does a police detective ever say he will focus on more worthy homicides, when he knows who killed someone?
Very disappointed in this dark book.
And does a police detective ever say he will focus on more worthy homicides, when he knows who killed someone?
Very disappointed in this dark book.
December 31, 2020
I know this is a totally biased review, but this book screams old lady mystery genre so much.
Not a bad story I suppose, but still pretty boring stuff. Again, old lady mystery kind of thing.
And I really don't want any other NYPD stories beside Brooklyn Nine-Nine in my head at the moment.
Like I said, biased.
Not a bad story I suppose, but still pretty boring stuff. Again, old lady mystery kind of thing.
And I really don't want any other NYPD stories beside Brooklyn Nine-Nine in my head at the moment.
Like I said, biased.
April 17, 2021
Meh. This didn’t keep my attention super well and was not extremely exciting or involving. Very slow-paced, and I didn’t find any of the characters very likable or even personable. This series may get better as it goes, and I may try other books by Barbieri, but I was not very enthralled by this one.
May 27, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but it just drug on. The ending was predictable and way too much happening with the book with a million subplots. I really wanted to root for the main character but she was soooo self-righteous I just couldn’t handle her. Also, absolutely no way the police would function the way they did in this book. I finished hoping for a better ending. Do not recommend.
August 29, 2017
I wouldn't call this a thriller, but I did finally enjoy the story. It had a slow start and was definitely different from others I've read that were mysteries. I still plan to read the 2nd book to see where Maeve's story goes......
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