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The Perfect Lie

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 241 ratings · 33 reviews

For Lucy Riddick, Venice has always been the dream destination. A dream inspired by the pretty picture pinned to her mother’s kitchen wall. To Lucy, Venice seems the ideal place to lose herself. And now she needs to do just that. The secret she’s been keeping from her boyfriend and her friends has finally caught up with her and Lucy needs to disappear – and fast. There’s n...more

Hardcover, 312 pages

Published May 13th 2010 by Headline Review

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Nov 14, 2010 Leanna (Daisy Chain Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a long time reader of Emily Barr’s novels I’m always intrigued to see what she will release next, and I’m also eager to find out if she can keep my interest engaged with each new novel. As far as some authors go, this doesn’t happen, but with each new book from Barr, I find myself being more and more impressed. The last book of Barr’s I read was 2008’s, The Sisterhood, a book I totally loved, and I was hoping this latest offering would live up to the high expectations I had after reading that...more As a long time reader of Emily Barr’s novels I’m always intrigued to see what she will release next, and I’m also eager to find out if she can keep my interest engaged with each new novel. As far as some authors go, this doesn’t happen, but with each new book from Barr, I find myself being more and more impressed. The last book of Barr’s I read was 2008’s, The Sisterhood, a book I totally loved, and I was hoping this latest offering would live up to the high expectations I had after reading that. I’m glad to say it did. The Perfect Lie is a little darker in it’s themes than some of Barr’s previous books, but no less compelling. This one is a definite page turner that will keep you reading late into the night.

As the book opens we are introduced to Lucy Riddick who shares a seemingly perfect and idyllic life in Cornwall with the ruggedly handsome Seth. They are on a day out with Seth’s sister Eliza and her two daughters, when the days events take a dramatic turn and Lucy finds herself featured on the local evening news. Hailed as a heroine, surely this should be a cause for celebration, but not for Lucy who is hiding a deep dark secret. It’s a secret buried deep in the past and which she knew one day would come back to haunt her. Now with the media focus on her, Lucy once again finds herself on the run. But will she be able to escape her past a second time, and is she prepared to leave behind everything she knows and loves again?

The story moves between past and present with the horror of Lucy’s past slowly unfolding before us. This book has a definite dark element to it and as we meet Lucy as a teenager called Marianne we have no clue of the horrors that are about to enter her life. What starts off as a underprivileged but ultimately happy existence with her mother and brother Finn turns into something truly disturbing. While Lucy has undoubtedly been through tough times, she is written in such a way that makes her a difficult character to totally sympathise with. This is a technique that Barr employs quite a bit in her books, and for me, it makes for great, believable characters. Lucy is neither truly good or truly bad. She has messed up, done some terrible things and been a victim of circumstance. While I rooted for her most of the time, she is far from perfect, and will definitely leave the reader with food for thought.

One of my favourite aspects of Barr’s novels is the travel writing that she weaves into each of her books. It’s what first brought her to my attention, and I feel it’s something unique to her. Having worked as a travel writer as well as a novelist, this is something that Barr excels at, and it makes her stand out from the pack. In the past Barr's books have taken me on journeys to America, Australia, France and Cuba. Here the action moves first to Paris and then Venice, where Lucy has gone to try and escape her past. Even in this beautiful setting, there is a real sense of impending doom surrounding Lucy, and I really feared for her with each day she spent in her new Italian hideaway.

Overall, this one is a really good read and perfect for holiday reading if you happen to have a getaway on the cards. Barr never disappoints with her offerings and her books will appeal to fans of chick-lit along with those who want something with a little more edge. This book has some great mystery and intrigue, it’s action packed and filled with suspense, tension and more than a few surprises. If you haven’t yet read anything by Emily Barr, I strongly suggest that you check out her books. I can’t wait to see what she has in store next!(less)

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Jan 15, 2013 Valerie Derbyshire rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was assigned this book as a reading assignment for a library book chain I belong to - otherwise I would never have picked it up for myself. I found it easy to read and it really was quite entertaining. However, I thought the plot was a bit ridiculous and far-fetched and that it's somehow been written to appeal to a certain class of people (there are just far too many references to "White Stuff" clothing and other designer makes for my liking) To be honest, I felt a bit excluded. I didn't like...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jules rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

This is not the first Emily Barr book that I have read and it won’t be the last I choose to read from this author. The novel takes place between London, Falmouth (in Cornwall) and Venice based around the theme of escape. The tone of the book runs like a thriller rather than anything ‘chick-litty’ and Barr’s characterisation allows for the themes of capture, influence, abuse and escape from threat to be explored. Barr is a skilful writer who is adept at travel-writing and exploration of space; sh...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Mandy Baggot rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is hard to place The Perfect Lie into a genre. It isn't traditional chicklit, it isn't a thriller but what it definitely is is well written and utterly compelling. I was enthralled from the outset with Lucy Riddick and the secrets she is keeping from everyone in her life. The narrative interchanges between main character Lucy and Marianne and later on in the book to Eliza. If I'm honest Eliza's sections weren't really necessary, only with regard to Patrick and it was very much Lucy and Marian...more It is hard to place The Perfect Lie into a genre. It isn't traditional chicklit, it isn't a thriller but what it definitely is is well written and utterly compelling. I was enthralled from the outset with Lucy Riddick and the secrets she is keeping from everyone in her life. The narrative interchanges between main character Lucy and Marianne and later on in the book to Eliza. If I'm honest Eliza's sections weren't really necessary, only with regard to Patrick and it was very much Lucy and Marianne I was most interested in.
The book is set in Cornwall and Venice and although I am not one for long descriptive sections to create a scene, Emily Barr does put you in the places with her acute awareness of characters in the settings, people we see in situations, what they wear and how they act. This works well and is much better than just describing the colour of things or the time of year.
If you are looking for a book with sharp, witty or lots of dialogue this is not the book for you. In fact I don't think I have ever read a book with such a lack of dialogue, particularly in Lucy's sections. This does make the characters slightly distanced from the reader in my opinion but in saying that Lucy doesn't talk much for a reason so perhaps that's why there are so few conversations.
I very much enjoyed the build up, the mystery and the suspense and every page made you want to read on. You feel Lucy's apprehension about her relationship with Seth, her fear, her panic, her regrets and her deep sense of loneliness.
The only part of the book I would criticise was the unnecessary skit in Venice involving the 'gallery'. I didn't think this was needed and made Lucy appear weak, vulnerable and stupid which she was once, a long time ago in her past, but by now, living the way she has lived she should have been more guarded and less gullible. She spends a lot of the book not engaging with anyone and then suddenly she puts her trust in Italian strangers. It didn't really ring true and I would much rather have seen her have some sort of amusing episode to lighten the mood from the darkness and intensity prior to the conclusion.
However that is the only real negative point I can raise with The Perfect Lie. I was engrossed in it from beginning to end and if you're looking for something different, something that will stir all sorts of emotions in you then give it a try. You will certainly be left wondering how well you really know those close to you!!(less)

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Oct 03, 2011 Chanpreet rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book had some very serious themes. It was intriguing and captivating and putting it down was not an option. Lucy Riddick has found happiness in her life with Seth, his sister Eliza, and her two daughters. She's happy with the way things are going when saving Clara, one of Eliza's daughters from falling off a cliff brings her unwanted attention from the media and something or someone form her past shows up and makes her go on the run again.

Emily Barr has it out of the park with this one. It'...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, i-d-recommend

I really enjoyed this book. It had a good amount of mystery and confusion to start of with leaving you wanting more - which it delivered.
It was however an incredibly intense book which covered some themes I had NOT been expecting, which I think is risky for some people who are touchy they may have felt offended and not expected that, so becareful if you are thinking of reading this, and don't enjoy sensitive topics being covered by fiction
If you're open to things however and not easily shocked o...more

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Jan 07, 2011 Kirsty Darbyshire rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

Chick-lit-ish kind of thriller. Nothing special, but not dreadful though predictable at times. Kept me entertained and turning the pages.

I got hugely annoyed by the enormous paragraph spacing though - I read it on the Kindle but I guess this feature is carried over from the print edition. The Kindle lets you adjust type size and line spacing but doesn't have a "Please remove the two blank lines between each paragraph" option. It's ok when there are long paragraphs, but quick dialogue sections -...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars

i loved this book,i couldnt put it down,im sad ive finished reading it

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Apr 29, 2012 Marissa Farrar rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'd give this one a 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed such a thing! (hint hint, Goodreads!). The end was a four star, but the slow beginning was definitely a three. The jump between points of view and different tenses threw me and I found I struggled to really get into any of the character's heads properly. The most interesting part of the book was as the main character as a child, though I felt the mother's reasons for making the children do what they did were pretty slim - especially considering...more

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May 06, 2010 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2010, for-review

Lucy Riddick has always dreamed of going to Venice particularly since it’s been pinned up on her mum’s wall for as long as she can remember. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get the chance to visit Venice but she’s soon proved to be wrong as the secret she’s been carrying has finally caught up with her. All of a sudden Lucy realises she needs to escape. She immediately decides that Venice is the place for her and sets off, leaving behind a boyfriend and her life in Cornwall, but it’s still not enou...more Lucy Riddick has always dreamed of going to Venice particularly since it’s been pinned up on her mum’s wall for as long as she can remember. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get the chance to visit Venice but she’s soon proved to be wrong as the secret she’s been carrying has finally caught up with her. All of a sudden Lucy realises she needs to escape. She immediately decides that Venice is the place for her and sets off, leaving behind a boyfriend and her life in Cornwall, but it’s still not enough and suddenly Lucy finds herself closer to the thing she’s been trying to escape from for most of her life…

Up until 2008 I hadn’t read any of Emily Barr’s books. I had tried to read both Backback and Cuban Heels but I found that I just couldn’t click with either books so had always put them down again before taking them to the book swop. However whilst in the book swop one day The Sisterhood caught my eye by Emily Barr and I thought it sounded incredibly interesting. I debated over whether to buy it and decided not to but next time I was in and it was still there I took the plunge and I actually really really loved it. I then picked up The Life You Want and enjoyed that too so it’s safe to say I was looking forward to her next offering The Perfect Lie and when I received an early copy I was eager to get stuck in.

Emily Barr seems to be the queen of Chick Lit thrillers so it was very interesting to read the blurb of The Perfect Lie and try to figure out what it all meant – the blurb gives nothing away though so it wasn’t too helpful really so I started the book hoping to unravel it all. The book begins on an ordinary day of Lucy’s life – out with her boyfriend, Seth, and best friend, Eliza, but an incident at the beach causes Lucy’s world to collapse in on itself. Lucy tries to carry on her life as normal but as her paranoia grows it becomes more and more apparent that that is not an option and so Lucy decides to take flight, leaving behind everything she’s come to know and love.

That is pretty much the plot, in a nutshell. There is more to that obviously but this is one of those books that you must begin and read without knowing prior to reading exactly what it is you’re reading about. The “more” to the plot comes in the form of alternating chapters. Lucy is our main narrator for the entirety of the novel but we also go back to 1988 where a girl called Marianne becomes our narrator, telling of her life as a 16-year-old with a younger brother and rather secretive mother. Rather than hinder the story or detract in any way from Lucy, Marianne’s chapters actually enhance the book and as Marianne’s story unravels I found myself getting drawn into the novel more and more. It’s fair to say that Marianne’s story isn’t exactly a happy one, she and her brother Finn go through some traumatic times. Again, because of the delicate linking of the plot I’m reluctant to say any more. Once Lucy decides that the only way to save herself is to flee, we also bring Eliza into the picture, giving us both Lucy’s side of her disappearance and also Eliza’s feelings on the entire matter as Eliza is Lucy’s friend and is the sister of Seth, Lucy’s boyfriend. I thought it was a good way to keep everyone Lucy was connected to in Cornwall as part of the main story and again, it really really worked.

As far as characters go I’m still slightly wary of Lucy. Like most of Barr’s characters she does have an edge to her, one that makes you feel as if you don’t really know the real Lucy. Barr makes it so that we don’t truly connect with any of her female leads (at least none I’ve read so far) and it’s a strange way to do things. Sure, I liked Lucy and sure I could easily sympathise with everything that caused her to run away but I never felt fully into the character herself. The same goes for Marianne – it’s going to be hard not to sympathise with such a young girl and everything she goes through is eye opening and totally shocking but I still couldn’t really connect to her. The only character Barr let us really know was Eliza whom I really liked. Eliza recently became a widow and to see how she struggles with trying to date again really made me warm to her. I thought her budding relationship with Patrick was so enjoyable to read.

The book as I mentioned is part-set in Venice and that’s another thing Emily Barr excels at: making her locations as glorious as she possibly can and Emily’s descriptions of Venice were fantastic and I really felt that I was there with Lucy. As the book came towards it’s conclusion, the showdown I was expecting materialised and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a fab conclusion although there were some questions marks for me as to what Lucy did. Or didn’t do. Yes everything that happens on those final few pages is more than justified but it kind of tars Lucy’s character – for me, anyway.

The Perfect Lie is a hugely enjoyable read nevertheless. I loved getting stuck into all of the plots throughout the book and Emily Barr definitely doesn’t hold back when it comes to her novels. It was gritty and dark yet still managed to be a good book. Barr seems to be an excellent storyteller and the fact she’s also great at incorporating exotic destinations makes it all the better. It’s not as good as The Sisterhood but it comes a close close second and I truly recommend you pick this up!(less)

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Jan 09, 2013 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, mystery, favourites

This book looks like it would be a light hearted chick lit read, but it's NOT. It is VERY dark and is a thriller. Emily Barr has weaved an addictive, fast paced novel that I would HIGHLY reccomend to all of my friends. It is very complex but is presented in a realistic and absorbing way. I don't want to spoil the plot by giving any information away. Check it out but do not start it late at night as it will keep you up all night reading.

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May 09, 2012 Kruimel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: simpelweg-ontspannend

Barr lijkt altijd over één constante te schrijven. Vrouwen die elders onder een nieuwe naam een nieuw leven beginnen. En vreemd genoeg draait elk boek altijd heel anders uit en blijft het boek na boek boeiend.
Ook met dit boek. Je wordt afwisselend van verleden naar heden geslingerd en langzaam pelt ze alle laagjes weg. Fijn en ontspannend leesvoer. Alleen jammer dat het plot iets te snel afgeraffeld wordt.

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Mar 30, 2012 Katrina Saunders rated it 4 of 5 stars

I live near Falmouth and had just returned from a holiday in Venice when I read this book so I loved it. I could picture the actual places in my head and the author had done justice to them so they are easily recognized. The plot had twists and turns and I just wanted to keep reading this book. I would recommend this book.

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Apr 28, 2013 Ells rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The plot did keep me reading on, and the way it skipped between past an present was interesting. I began to hate some of the characters-her mother mostly. The ending was a tad anti-climactic. Reminded me a little of Nicholas Spark's Safe Haven- where the character is on the run. An ok book, but wouldn't re read.

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Aug 08, 2012 Celina Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Gripping and at first handles the two timelines well but once the action moves to Venice, I began to lose interest. The threat of the past wasn't strong enough to build a real sense of menace but I thought the earlier sections with Marianne and her brother were very well done.

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Jun 14, 2013 Dekotah rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was interesting, but so frustrating when you go back and forth from past to present, figuring out stuff at the end when the talk about it in the middle! Sorry if I'm not making much sense.

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Jan 13, 2011 Mem rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story - not really my usual choice but it was a Christmas present. I clearly devoured it pretty quickly. Had some themes in there I wasn't expecting!

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May 01, 2013 Francessca rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nice easy read. Although I pre-empted who Lucy was running from and why the pace of the book kept me wanting to read more.
Chapters were short and snappy so when I had time I found myself reading huge chunks as I wanted to race to the end to find out how things tied up.

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Nov 23, 2010 Liesbeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just love Emily Barrs books.
Warm, believable and oh so very readable.
This book draws you in, gets you involved and keeps you guessing. Fab.

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Mar 19, 2012 Beth Lloyd rated it 3 of 5 stars

Brilliant, couldn't put it down, though not convinced by the ending.

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Feb 21, 2011 Mrschekich rated it 4 of 5 stars

lovely book..this was the first time I read Emily Barr & I really enjoyed it.

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Feb 17, 2011 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good beach book. Easy to read and enjoyed the story. 24 hour read.

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Apr 24, 2012 Glynis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Certainly not on the par with her previous work.

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Jun 20, 2011 Squeegielu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Gave me goosebumps!!

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Nov 07, 2012 Booksdingle rated it 4 of 5 stars

A decent read

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May 17, 2012 Rita rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another good read by Emily Barr

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Dec 07, 2010 Kayla Oliver rated it 5 of 5 stars

A real page turner!!! Sooo addictive!!!

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Jan 19, 2013 Nicola Loynd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it...had me gripped from start to finish

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May 15, 2012 Wahmama rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fijn leesvoer, tot het ineens rap gedaan moest zijn.

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Nov 24, 2010 Caz Lopez rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brilliant! Great story line and ending was good!

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