Peter Swanson

'He's the real deal...' JOE HILL 'Another read in one sitting from the best-selling Swanson.' METRO 'A brilliantly original premise, delivered with panache.' CLARE MACKINTOSH On the eve of his college graduation, Harry is called home by his step-mother Alice, to their house on the Maine coast, following the unexpected death of his father. But who really is Alice, his father's much younger second wife? In a brilliant split narrative, Peter Swanson teases out the stories and damage that lie in her past. And as her story entwines with Harry's in the present, things grow increasingly dark and threatening - will Harry be able to see any of it clearly through his own confused feelings?

All the Beautiful Lies

From the acclaimed author of Her Every Fear and The Kind Worth Killing comes a diabolically clever tale of obsession, revenge, and cold-blooded murder—a sly and brilliant guessing game of a novel in the vein of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Patricia Highsmith. Harry Ackerson has always considered his stepmother Alice to be sexy and beautiful, in an "otherworldly" way. She has always been kind and attentive, if a little aloof in the last few years. Days before his college graduation, Alice calls with shocking news. His father is dead and the police think it’s suicide. Devastated, Harry returns to his father’s home in Maine. There, he and Alice will help each other pick up of the pieces of their lives and uncover what happened to his father. Shortly after he arrives, Harry meets a mysterious young woman named Grace McGowan. Though she claims to be new to the area, Harry begins to suspect that Grace may not be a complete stranger to his family. But she isn’t the only attractive woman taking an interest in Harry. The sensual Alice is also growing closer, coming on to him in an enticing, clearly sexual way. Mesmerized by these two women, Harry finds himself falling deeper under their spell. Yet the closer he gets to them, the more isolated he feels, disoriented by a growing fear that both women are hiding dangerous—even deadly—secrets . . . and that neither one is telling the truth.

A Novel

Alexa M

this was a solid thriller, a little odd content wise... but the twists were unexpected. a solid middle for me for Peter Swanson's books so far. the perfect length lol

daisy

the story got its plot twist which i hadn't expected honestly and its great. i just dont think this book was thrilling enough for me but i truly like it tho

Emily C Peterson

Melea Mullican

Harry is shocked when he heard his father has died. Now he is headed back to Maine where his stepmother lives trying to figure out what happened to his father. A wealth of twists unravels the mystery of Bill's death...among others.

I enjoyed the dual viewpoints of this story. We get the first part of the book from Harry in the present and Alice from the past. The second part focuses on several different viewpoints that I won't disclose for spoilers sake. You guys know I'm a sucker for past/present story telling.

This book is an easy, quick read; however, it seemed to take me forever to get through it. I'm sure it was just my mood and the many distractions I had while reading it, but the story seemed to move really slow for me. The twists were good and not entirely predictable from the beginning, but I was able to figure most of it out before it actually happend. 

There were parts of this book that really seemed to make no sense to me. (view spoiler)[ I don't understand how Alice being sexually interested in Harry really played into the story other than gave her an excuse to marry Bill and set it in motion. Nothing else of serious value really came from it.  (hide spoiler)] Harry kind of grated on my nerves and got himself into a ton of trouble with women that never really played out. 

The last part of the book was definitely my favorite. The ending is exciting and thrilling. I didn't see it coming, and it allowed the book to come full circle. Even though this book was not knock my socks off good (it had a high bar to meet because I've read some great thrillers lately), it was still really good. I definitely plan to read more from Peter Swanson in the future.

Nico J

A middle-of-the-road mystery, with some squicky-type relationship dynamics that may not be for everyone. Dealing with the constantly manipulation of the young adult characters but also the narcissistic adults that were supposed to be watching them leaves you sitting with an odd discomfort. I suppose that's the point. Too little was made of the father's completely different, unaddressed life that he was having behind his wife's back and the son (Harry) made too little deal of it. It felt like it could have used a little more.

Yuki Reads

3.75 stars rounded up. Love reading all of Peter Swanson’s books and while this one wasn’t my fave, it’s still a good thriller. Very dark and twisted. Almost a little uncomfy with some elements and didn’t quite have all of the surprise elements like his other books do, but a fun read for sure.

Madisonstapleton 

Ronnie

Diana Irimia

Katrina Meyers

Sara labeck

Rachel Kanyid

Christine W

Katie

Jill Niemeier 

On the eve of his college graduation. Harry is called home by his stepmother Alice. following the unexpected death of his father. But who really is Alice. his father's much younger second wife. and how much is known about her past ? In a confusion of emotions. Harry must work out whether Alice's concern for him is purely maternal. or whether there is something darker and more threatening at work ...

All the Beautiful Lies

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