The Best Lies

by Sarah Lyu

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight .
3.5*

Ohhh this book is messed up! You know, in the good way! Since the whole book revolves around the thriller/mystery aspect, I am going to keep this purposely short. Basically there are two main components: The relationships of the characters, and the unsettling mystery.

The Characters and Their Relationships: So, this is a huge part of the book. Not only do we delve into Remy's relationship with Elise, but her relationship with her late boyfriend Jack, and her family and other friends. And of course, the effect that they all have together, because that is sort of the key. Remy and Elise found each other when they both really needed a friend. Their relationship goes through all the ebbs and flows of typical friendships, until it becomes something far more sinister (and far less healthy). And that is the basic tone of the book: how much is too much? How far is too far? 

Remy's relationship with Jack is far less complex, for the fact that it was a seemingly healthy and normal one. Through it all, she struggles to find her footing with her family and other friends. Meanwhile, Elise is struggling with an abusive relationship of her own, and things are pretty messy for everyone. 

The Unsettling Mystery: Obviously, keeping this short! But as all these relationships come into focus, we start to see what everyone's motivations seem to be for the way they're behaving. Sometimes it's selfish, and sometimes it's worse. But as it unfurls, you'll be hooked into the secrets, deceptions, and motivations that all the characters have hidden. 

Bottom Line: A really intense mystery based on an equally intense series of relationships.