The Lie By C.L. Taylor

The Lie by C.L. Taylor is a psychological thriller focusing on the fragility of friendships between women and what happens to their friendship when betrayal and guilt tear them apart. It is an adrenaline-pumping novel that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

The Lie by C.L. Taylor

The novel begins in the present day with the protagonist Jane Hughes working at an animal shelter. Living in a small cottage in rural Wales, she has a great boyfriend and is happier than she has ever been. But her life is a lie and Jane Hughes is not her real name. After receiving a letter at work, stating “I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes.” , her life starts to unravel as her dark past comes back to haunt her.

Five years earlier, Jane and three friends Al, Leanne and Daisy set off on a trip to a spiritual retreat in Nepal to cheer up Al who was plunged into despair after her lesbian partner left her for another girl. The trip quickly spiralled into a nightmare as they got entangled in a creepy cult. The friendship between them started to crack. Only Jane, whose real name is Emma, and Al made it back home. Daisy and Leanne were thought to have died in Nepal.

The narrative switches from the present to the 5-year-ago flashbacks. The constant time switches are skilfully done as the novel weaves its way to its climax.

The Lie is a roller coaster of suspense and that’s, ahem, not a lie!