Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme)'s Reviews > Between Lies and Revenge

When all of my friends started gushing about Between Lies and Revenge, I had some serious FOMO hit me hard. Needless to say, they were 100% right. Both a thought-provoking premise and a twisty, riveting tale of domestic suspense, this little revenge story debut was beyond great—it was utterly stunning. From the onion-like plot that featured layers of mysteries to the cleverly crafted lies piled upon dark unexpected secrets, my head was spinning until the final timely reveal.

As for the characters, they couldn’t have been better. On top of two dynamite female main characters featured in the distinct identities of the dual POVs, there were plenty of individuals who I absolutely loved to hate on top of a few choice others who got my side-eye for sure. Olivia and Elle, however, were easily my favorites. Fully fleshed out and with depth to their personas, I was rooting for both as the plot rolled along. Okay. I do have to admit, I was slightly more Team Elle, but as the page count grew, so did my bond to Olivia as well.

The out-and-out best piece to the puzzle, however, were the jaw-dropping twists that set me back on my heels. At one point, I actually thought that my armchair sleuthing self had figured out a gigantic reveal. Boy, was I wrong. Shifting the story first in one direction and then another, the ground wobbled under my feet in the most delightful of ways. Added to the much loved scheming and well-hidden lies, it all gave a definite Hitchcockian slant to this multiple-sided con artist tale.

All in all, this mesmerizing rollercoaster ride won me over hook, line, and sinker. With an ever ratcheting pace and deliciously short chapters, the combination of all that I’ve listed was simply sublime. After all, it was an addictive, unforgettable trip into this author’s talented mind—one that had me flying through the pages from the tantalizing start until the perfectly plotted finale. I just hope that this was only the first voyage with Ms. Sharpe as my guide. Rating of 5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Years after the death of her brother and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run...until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle stalks and befriends the woman, using her gemology skills as a ruse. Elle offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Olivia is drowning. She maxes out credit cards behind her financially-strict husband's back in order to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances with her wealthy friends and their cultist MLM social circles. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood...and inspired.

With Elle’s expertise and Olivia’s connections, the two start a side-hustle by way of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But their hidden truths get in the way of their success, and each other. Before their secrets bury them, they must confess their lies to one another and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom, and their lives.

Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.

























































































Trigger warning: infertility, controlling relationship, stalking, profanity, assault, pregnancy, mention of: abortion