Father of Lies

Sep 23, 2011 Kita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-teen, meh

This book is very internal (which is something I don't normally enjoy in a book) and yet I found myself liking it. I am very interested in any type of witch trial book, and having read quite a few, I didn't find this overly original (though I do understand that one only has so much to work with). The first two or three chapters were hooking and a little creepy, but the rest of the book just seems to go without much suspense. Although people were being accused of witchcraft and tried, I didn't fe...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm always wary of historical fiction in the YAF genre. Teens and pre-teens have so little grasp of what is really based in history and what is just a glamorized version of real historical events. With this in mind, I began this book with trepidation. Lidda is 14 years old and different than the other girls her age in the quiet good town of Salem, Massachusetts during the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. While the other girls, including her sister, are concerned with being good, respectable,...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

To start off, this book presented a few challenges for me. I hesitated to pick it up because of the entire premise. I love historical fiction, but the Salem witch trials never really did it for me. I always found the delirium around those event so unappealing.

The events in Father of Lies were interesting in a different way than the usual paranoia. Lidda is so different than the other girls who are claiming witchcraft. She sees them as being attention-seeking, and using their power to gain some...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Sarai rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fiction

I wasn't sure what this book was trying to do at first. Eventually I decided the main character was bipolar or schizophrenic, which the author clarified at the end. Other than that the book is about the Salem Witch Trials, and it did have interesting bits of history of living in that time period. But I just couldn't get into it.

Product Description

Truth or Lies?

Lidda knew, with a clarity that was like a candle in a dark room, that all had changed; something was loosed in the village—Devil or not—...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Kyleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well as you probably already know I’m a total history fanatic. One subject I am particularly obsessed with is the Salem Witch Trials. With these particular novels I usually find that the MC is always more spirited and free minded than the rest of the village. Lidda fits this description but I think the author did a much better job really putting you into the time period than other novels. The one aspect that truly separates good historical fiction from the great is the ability to transport the r...more Well as you probably already know I’m a total history fanatic. One subject I am particularly obsessed with is the Salem Witch Trials. With these particular novels I usually find that the MC is always more spirited and free minded than the rest of the village. Lidda fits this description but I think the author did a much better job really putting you into the time period than other novels. The one aspect that truly separates good historical fiction from the great is the ability to transport the reader back into that particular time. Turner does this tremendously well. It didn’t feel like a modern day girl relating the events of the past. Lidda is a Puritan, from the way she speaks and behaves, to the very way she thinks. Getting that type of characterization is particularly difficult since the Puritan mind-set is so different than our own. I really applaud Turner for this. It must have taken loads of research and reading a lot of first hands accounts.

It’s always so different to read through a young woman’s point of view from a time different than our own. I found Lidda to be very refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through her POV. Lidda loves to dance, to sing, and just be a young girl. Everything that is absolutely horrifying to the rest of the village. Her older sister is always sneering down on her for her “strange” behavior. Lidda feels constrained by the village’s strict views and wants nothing more than to break free. It’s because of her free mind and accepting nature that Lucian seeks her out.

I thought Lucian was an interesting addition to the story. Lucian? Lucien? Lucifer? I’m not religious give me a break here I don’t remember! Plus well it’s been a while since I read this book so my memory isn’t the greatest. Clearly he is “the Devil” that Salem so fears. Now if I remember correctly Lucifer is “The Light Bringer” right? Or at least something similar in name. Forgive me on my lack of biblical reference alright? Never read it. Well in this case the Devil is the one who is bringing to light all the lies that are being told in Salem; which I found rather ironic to be honest. Only Lidda can see and hear him, which brings up the question if she is crazy or not. Is Lucian really there? Or is Lidda’s over active imagination playing tricks on her? Whether he is real or not really isn’t important. It’s what he represents and how he affects Lidda that is important to the story. Lidda begins to question the hysteria sweeping the village. Are the girls really being attacked by witches or is it just a sad cry for attention in a world where women are not treated with importance?

Turner truly explains why girls at this time would lie about such a thing and accuse innocent people of being a witch. Women are insignificant and more often than not ignored. With the whole Puritan mind set, women are the cause for original sin. It only makes sense that in a religious obsessed society that women would be treated as such. The desire to become important was just too much of a temptation. Turner handles the witch hysteria wonderfully. For some reason, other novels just don’t compare with how well Turner depicted the witch fever. Maybe I just haven’t read a good Salem story in a while, but I really did love Father of Lies. The writing was really refreshing and I adored Lidda’s character. Turner introduced a new spin on an otherwise well known story that makes a unique read that you can’t pass by.(less)

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Dec 04, 2010 Melanie Goodman added it

It’s 1692 in Salem, MA and young girls are starting to have fits of hallucinations and sickness. They blame their maladies on witches, and it turns into a mass hysteria. The time, setting, and names will be familiar to anyone who has read about the Salem Witch Trials. Within this historical period, though, is a new player: Lidda. Lidda begins seeing and hearing the devil, but her experiences are different than the other girls in town. She questions her own sanity, and whether the rest of them ar...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Chelsea rated it 4 of 5 stars

On the outside, Lidda appears to be normal. She tends to her baby brother Thomas and does chores with her sisters Charity and Susannah. On the inside, however, she is an absolute mess. After recently going through puberty, she begins hearing a voice speaking to her in her head. Terrified at first, she thinks this is the work of the Devil himself. But the voice calls himself Lucian, and he is both seductive and powerful. Then strange things begin to happen to other girls in her village. They have...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Alexandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was on the New Releases shelf at my library and so I decided to check it out. It seemed pretty creepy, judging by the book description. And the first couple of chapters were.
But then as I got farther into the story, it kind of reminded me of the Crucible. (If you've never read the Crucible, it is a play written by Arthur Miller that depicts the Salem Witch Trials.)

Father of Lies was very well researched by the author and included many of the people that were actually living in Salem i...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Kari Anderson added it

Close your eyes and think back to Salem, 1692. If you’re having a hard time, let me make it easier for you. The olden days, when you only got a bath every couple of weeks, if that. No heat, no electricity, no fast food. Yeah, that was a life that people really lived. A recent study shows that Christianity is decreasing at such a rate in the US that Atheists are actually outnumbering Christians. Also, not even a fact in 1692. Actually, religion and work were the two focuses of life at this time....more

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Feb 07, 2011 Jess Bierschied rated it 4 of 5 stars

FATHER OF LIES, by Ann Turner dives into the time of the Salem Witch Trials and the hardships that every man, woman and child had to experience. I was almost instantly sucked in and it was hard to put down.

I have never read anything, other than textbooks about the Salem Witch Trials. I have been to Salem, and seen all the witch houses but reading this book I really felt like I was there. Turner uses subtle details that set the scene perfectly. I could feel the setting around me like I was standi...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog

Rating of a 4, but with reservations.

This was originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Father of Lies by Ann Turner is set in Colonial Massachusetts, just before the start of the Salem Witch Trials. 14 year old Lidda is struggling to find her place within her family and Salem Village. She's always been different. She's a dreamer who loves to dance beneath the trees and hates the restrictive garb she is required to wear but she lives in a time period that expressly fo...more

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Jun 02, 2011 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 31, 2011 Karis (YA Litwit) Jacobstein rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-z-author-challenge

I really liked this book. It seemed historically accurate and the author, aside from the protagonist and he family, used actual people involved in the Salem witch Trials. (view spoiler) Overall, I t...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Tammy Dahle rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Thoughts:
I love historical fiction-especially when it involves things that are shocking and mysterious. Such as the Salem Witch Trials. Where during the 17th century a small village in America becomes obsessed with finding witches in their midst. Anyone who is different(a woman who runs a tavern and wears bright colors) or has wronged someone(a person who is late paying a bill) is accused and tried. Some of these trials lead to the deaths of the accused.
The main character of the book is 14 ye...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Laurie Jenkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, fiction, witches, young-adult

3.5 Stars

Throughout most of this book, I was kept off-balance and wondering what was really going on. The story is told through the perspective of an odd fourteen-year-old girl named Lidda, as she watches the seemingly orchestrated but chaotic rise of the Salem witch accusations.

I am a mature reader and frankly, I found this book disturbing on several levels. I am not convinced that I would encourage a teenager to tackle this subject. The whole mob mentality and the excessive enjoyment this comm...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm kind of obsessed with the Salem Witch Trials, so I happily dived into this book. Came away feeling that it's enjoyable, but definitely could have gone on so much longer . It's just over 250 pages, but its dimensions are smaller than average - perhaps to make it look like it's longer?

Turner explores the first few months of witch histeria in Salem - we don't even make it to the first round of executions - through Lidda, a girl who is also seeing things and hearing voices. She's always felt lik...more

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May 23, 2011 Brooke rated it 2 of 5 stars

Lidda has the ability to sense when someone is telling the truth or a lie. She can't stand the confines that living in Salem forces upon her. She longs to leave Salem and go to a place where she can be free to express herself however she chooses. She may just get what she wishes when a string of witch accusations spreads through her village. She feels different inside, can hear a voice speaking to her in her head, and knows that the girls who accuse the villagers are lying. But how can Lidda spe...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-i-own, 2011-100-book-challenge, 2011-release, books-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews

3.5 stars

Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda he...more 3.5 stars

Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.

What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.

Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.

I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.(less)

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Feb 05, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

MY THOUGHTS
Father of Lies serves as a reminder of the extreme consequences when a voice is lent to untruths, shedding light on a period of history when the thrill of power and control overwhelmed reason and morality, leaving good people swinging from the end of a rope while the accusers spouted venom followed by half-hearted apologies. The story transports us to the middle of a brutally cold Salem Village, the freezing temperat...more Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

MY THOUGHTS
Father of Lies serves as a reminder of the extreme consequences when a voice is lent to untruths, shedding light on a period of history when the thrill of power and control overwhelmed reason and morality, leaving good people swinging from the end of a rope while the accusers spouted venom followed by half-hearted apologies. The story transports us to the middle of a brutally cold Salem Village, the freezing temperatures reflective of the icy cruelty of the young girls who vomit lies with little remorse. It is a study in fundamental human behavior, and though we are aware of the historical outcome, we can only read on with increasing anxiety as the young ladies get a taste for the influence typically denied girls of their station, and fight the bouts of nausea as the strength of their words has ramifications of epic and deadly proportions.

Lidda is an interesting protagonist, one who adamantly refuses to don the blinders the rest of the residents of Salem so eagerly wear, and refuses to easily fall prey to a dangerous mob mentality that results in irreparable damage. Though we're thankful to be privy to the mind of someone who sees the accusations as transparent falsehoods as opposed to solid truths, a connection to her never truly forms. Her thoughts are constantly churning as she struggles to discern fact from fiction and reality from hallucination, and we skip from thought to thought with little preparation for the move. Because she retreats into her mind at every opportunity, we are forced to live in the tangle of her mind with her, our access to the outside world and the other characters limited by the parameters of a possible bipolar disorder.

As a result of Lidda's issues, we experience the events of the trials only on the periphery, receiving snippets of information and rumors from third party mouths instead of first person experience. Though Lidda witnesses some of the girls' behavior first-hand, it's often in very short bursts and then she withdrawals either physically or mentally, and our exposure to the events is abruptly halted. The individuals carted away destined for jail or a noose remain distant and almost unreal entities, little more than names on a page as Lidda's interactions with them are practically nonexistent. As a result, our emotional attachment to the horror of the witch trials isn't quite as profound as it could have been were we able to witness the proceedings in additional dimensions. Because this story is a fictional retelling of the events, the opportunity to thrust us mind and soul into the middle of the action is there, but instead we delicately tiptoe around the outside as though careful not to disturb the historical facts any more than necessary, and we therefore see and hear through Lidda without being fully absorbed in the world.

Overall, Father of Lies is fascinating in its subject matter, and Lidda's battle with the voices in her head are engrossing, but there is something small missing that's keeping our emotional involvement at bay. We are only ankle deep in the story while wishing to be fully submerged, and with each page we struggle to wade deeper only to find that despite our efforts, we haven't moved an inch.

Rating: 3/5 (less)

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Feb 26, 2011 Katieb (MundieMoms) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-i-own, mundie-moms-review, 2011-100-book-challenge, books-i-own

3.5 stars

Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda he...more 3.5 stars

Father of Lies is the re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but with a few twists. Unlike some of the stories that are written surrounding this event, Ann Turner brings her story to life by keeping crucial historical parts of the story, as well as introducing a new perspective on these events. Keeping some of the names we've all read about it before, Ann introduces a fresh face to the story with her character Lidda. Ann not only puts Lidda at the center of the Witch Trails, but Lidda hears and sees the devil, whom is thought to be the reason why so many of the village's people are going crazy. Lucian doesn't mean any harm to Lidda, in fact, she's drawn to this dark, good looking, powerful being, who lurks in her shadows. She realizes that Lucian has nothing to do with the evil that has come to Salem.

What drew me to Lidda is she's one of the few characters to think for herself. So goes against the norm as so many of the Puritan women and even people during this time do not think for themselves and allow the "father" to think for them. Through out the story I found myself torn between thinking Lidda is either hallucinating, like so many of the other towns people are as they claim to see the devil in various forms, or she has bi-polar. Lucian is constantly communicating with her, and no one else, as no one can see or hear him except Lidda. I liked at the end of the story Ann talks about both bi-polar and the Salem Witch Trails more in depth, and outside of what is discussed in the story.

Ann molds her story perfectly, as it's so easy to understand why so many innocent people were killed and accused of being witches. Seeing this happen through Lidda's eyes brought realism to the story, as Lidda's friends where both the girls being accused and the ones going around accusing innocent people of being witches. Lidda is a character I came to admire, as in a time period when women weren't allowed to think for themselves, and let alone voice their opinions, she's the only one who stands up and says anything about the mass hysteria and all the lies that are being said. In the end you're left wondering if Lidda really is suffering from a mental illness or maybe she is telling the truth and really can see and talk to the devil. Either way, this girl has a strength and backbone no one else had.

I really enjoyed the setting, as it's rich in detail and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what it was like in Salem, MA in the 1600's, with the social structure, beliefs, family dynamics and so on. I think Ann does the best job at bringing this story to life. If you're a fan of reading about this time period, I would recommend picking this book up.(less)

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May 26, 2011 Heather added it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mental-health, read-in-2011, ya

I reading about two things – the Salem Witch Trials and mental illness. Father of Lies combines them both, so I was bound to enjoy this book as much as I did.

Lidda was a great main character. I found her different than most of the female characters I’ve read about during time period. Lidda loves to do all the things that are looked down on in Salem. How dare a young woman want to dance! Absolutely shocking! Lidda definitely felt the confines of the expectations that were placed on her by her com...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Lidda lives in Salem Village with her family. She is different; she knows this, and so does everyone around her. She wishes of doing things that others have never dreamt of. She wants to dance and sing and fly with the birds. Her family just thinks she is crazy - maybe she will grow out of it.

And then there is talk around the village that the Devil has come. Witch fever.

Lidda doesn't believe any of it. And she has prove that these girls and their accusati...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, arc, 2011-ya-hist-fic-challenge

It is the winter of 1692 in the village of Salem, Massachusetts. Fourteen-year-old Lidda Johnson has always felt different from everyone else in her strict Puritan village. She longs to dance and sing and be free. She also has hallucinations and hears a voice inside her, a voice that calls himself Lucian. She doesn't understand why this is happening to her and is afraid to tell anyone. Her family has always thought her a bit odd, and as her behavior becomes stranger, she struggles to hide it fro...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Julia Driscoll rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: appropriate-for-middle-school, appropriate-for-upper-elementary, historical-fiction

The combination of a girl with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) mixed in with the hysterical climate of the Salem Witch Trials period is an interesting and creative way to explore this period in history. Honestly, though, this book didn't excite me. There was nothing wrong with it, it just didn't personally move me. That said, the sense of a potentially supernatural being in the story could be a good way to grab reluctant students into a tale of historical fiction.

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Dec 09, 2012 McKenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 50-book-challenge, read-historical-fiction, 8th-grade

The themes in Father of Lies, are power and fear, and lies. Some examples are when Ann Putnam Jr. and the other girls were accusing women who were "witches", wanted the power and the attention that comes with that. An example of fear are when Lidda's family is afraid, (except Susannah) that they will be accused next. The example of lies is when Mary admits to lying, and Lidda is now positive that the girls were lying. What Ann Turner is saying about power and fear is that once you have power, yo...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Amy Huntley rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm always interested in the Salem Witch Trials, so I had a bias for this book going in, but what really drew me to it was thinking about what William Blake would make of it. The "devil" character in here is thought provoking. He's not as "evil" as the people who are "supposedly" fighting evil and who end up just being hypocrites. That's what I think Blake would like about it, and I thought that would make it an interesting companion novel for my students.

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Nov 26, 2012 Spring Lake rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 14, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

This book took me some time to read, but it was a good book. It was based in Salem during the witch trials and had an interesting twist on the story involving the Bipolar main character. There was mystery, drama, and history. I was confused at parts, but once I got through the book and had read the author's foreword I understood certain aspects of the story a bit more.

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Aug 22, 2011 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, juvie-fiction

It was alright. Clear she did a nice amount of research but the story was a super easy read - I don't know...nothing special or significant really stands out for me. Read it in one sitting. The bipolar angle is interesting, but there must've been a whole lot of bipolar people running around in one village for all those delusions to take flight. Unlikely.

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Mar 12, 2011 Briana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, my-personal-library, great-lesser-known-books

Excerpt from my review below. To read my full, in-depth review, go here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2011...

"Darkly intriguing and keenly wrought, Father of Lies is an emotional and insightfully woven blend of historical fact and fiction...........................................

All in all, Father of Lies is a powerful story that shows just how dangerous the truth can sometimes be, especially when people would much rather believe the lies. Turner really did an impressive job crafting this n...more

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