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3 Lies

by Helen Hanson (Goodreads Author)

4.5 of 5 stars 4.50 · rating details · 22 ratings · 18 reviews

At CIA headquarters, a young officer discovers that terrorists may have commandeered their computer systems to launch an unauthorized mission. Elsewhere, conspirators abduct nine people to manipulate the rules of their game. Two disparate ambitions -- Clint Masters becomes the reluctant link in the chain of danger.

Ever since Clint’s almost ex-wife dumped him, he bobs alon...more

Kindle Edition, 314 pages

Published December 4th 2010 by Domino INK

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Best Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Novels Of 2011

246th out of 291 books — 968 voters

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le Carré

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Aug 09, 2012 Alice Yeh added it

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Two seemingly unrelated conspiracy theories link together in 3 Lies, a book that combines espionage, high treason, and a very messy marriage. Betrayed by his wife, and six months away from divorce, technological genius Cliff Masters has chosen to shun all things high-tech in favor of a simple life on a docked boat. All seems to be going well, until his new girlfriend goes missing. Speaking of disappearances, ten CIA contacts have recently gone AWOL. Just what is going on?

I wasn't sure what to ma...more Two seemingly unrelated conspiracy theories link together in 3 Lies, a book that combines espionage, high treason, and a very messy marriage. Betrayed by his wife, and six months away from divorce, technological genius Cliff Masters has chosen to shun all things high-tech in favor of a simple life on a docked boat. All seems to be going well, until his new girlfriend goes missing. Speaking of disappearances, ten CIA contacts have recently gone AWOL. Just what is going on?

I wasn't sure what to make of this book at first. It seemed like I was being told two different—and very compelling—stories, each of which could have stood on its own. Then, slowly, bits and pieces began coming together. By the end, I could fully appreciate the intricacy of the author's construct and the seamless manner in which two conspiracies converged. For all its switching between Doug's and Cliff's points of view, never once did the story lose my interest. I fully intended to read half the book today before getting back to work. Instead, I burned through page after page, caught up in the rhythm and tightly controlled flow of the plot. The passage of time only registered when I realized that the sun was going down.

Part of the reason why I was so hooked is that the story toys with a reader's mind with well-managed dexterity. A few short scenes would have me decided that this character or that character was definitely on the "right" side, and then more information would surface that suddenly cast a dark shadow of doubt on his or her integrity. It was nuanced enough that it was difficult to discern whether I was being led to the truth or tossed a particularly pungent kipper.

Perhaps it was because I read through so quickly, but I never did fully understand which were the titular "three lies" that were told. It also took several chapters before I realized that "Hizonner" was a slurred version of "His Honor," an intentional bit of mockery made no sense until I tried to say it aloud. For the most part, however, the book read smoothly. It was detailed enough to lend credibility without losing readers in technical language. Through passing descriptions of a few symptoms, readers can feel the desperation of Beth's situation, even if they know nothing about acute renal failure or hemodialysis. As far as this story goes, my only real bone of contention is the tidiness with which each loose end was woven back in. There is something to be said for allowing the audience to conjecture. Life, after all, is never that neat.

My day off is now gone, but it was time well spent. 3 Lies is one of those stories for which you'll need a few free hours...and perhaps a healthy dose of suspicion.

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Jul 19, 2011 Al rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, read-2011

"3 Lies" has several elements I found appealing. I’m a computer geek, so the portion involving the CIA’s computer issues was a natural fit. Clint, the protagonist, and his girlfriend Beth were both the kind of people I’d like to know, which helped pull me into the story and get me emotionally invested in the outcome. The contrast between Clint and his smarmy partner as well as the difference between Beth and Clint’s estranged wife made them look even better.

Another thing I liked was that the plo...more

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Jun 27, 2011 J.A. Beard rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Good Book Alert Review: http://goodbookalert.blogspot.com/

3 Lies
Author: Helen Hanson
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4.5 Stars

3 Lies is an engrossing thriller that presents a novel twist on the "ticking clock" rescue.

Summary:

When Beth, the girlfriend of tech millionaire Clint Masters, disappears, he quickly realizes she's been kidnapped, and that her family is doing little to help track her down. Little does he realize she's involved in a chain of several kidnappings intended to aid a sinister goal. Whe...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Grace Krispy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story takes two seemingly disparate storylines and ties them together nicely in the end. When the second storyline first appears, it's a bit jarring because of the completely new setting and characters. It's quickly apparent, however, that it will tie in somehow. Others may guess immediately how it will tie in, but I found it a nice surprise. The entire plot is very well thought out, and the last chapter feels like icing on the cake. I'm not sure I wanted such pretty icing, but it seems to...more This story takes two seemingly disparate storylines and ties them together nicely in the end. When the second storyline first appears, it's a bit jarring because of the completely new setting and characters. It's quickly apparent, however, that it will tie in somehow. Others may guess immediately how it will tie in, but I found it a nice surprise. The entire plot is very well thought out, and the last chapter feels like icing on the cake. I'm not sure I wanted such pretty icing, but it seems to fit, and it didn't leave me hanging.

Beth was a great character. It was easy to see why Clint would be so attracted to her, and why she would be inspirational to others. Clint was also a nicely fleshed out character, and it felt comfortable to engage with him as he struggled to find answers. I didn't find Doug to be as well-defined, however. His personality didn't feel solid in my mind. At times, his words or actions didn't quite go along with my understanding of his character and his position. He did show some growth, but it was less convincing to me because he wasn't firmly established in my mind. The rest of the characters I found perfectly developed in accordance with their relative importance in the story. This was a thriller with exciting plot events *and* well-defined characters; a very nice surprise.

I felt this was a great thriller- well-crafted and unique, and a wonderful first novel to recommend. However, there was something I can't put my finger on that felt unpolished.There was definitely a lot going on in this novel- a number of relationships and separate motivations of different characters. There were also a few twists to keep us guessing. All those things really added to the complexity of the novel, making it fuller and more interesting, but it also left room for a little more unexpected dissonance when things didn't feel like they quite matched up. The basic story elements were generally strong and in place, but something about the complete package felt slightly unfinished to me.

Full review @ MotherLode blog- gracekrispy.com(less)

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May 27, 2011 Vivian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Clint Masters is moving on with his life. He has taken a leave of absence from his high-tech company, CatSat, and in just a few more months his divorce will be final. He's happy and part of this happiness is due to his relationship with Beth Sutton. Things are going well until he returns to Beth's home one morning to find that she has disappeared. He knows things are not what they seem when he finds that her dialysis machine is still in her home and that her uncle, the Supreme Court Chief Justic...more Clint Masters is moving on with his life. He has taken a leave of absence from his high-tech company, CatSat, and in just a few more months his divorce will be final. He's happy and part of this happiness is due to his relationship with Beth Sutton. Things are going well until he returns to Beth's home one morning to find that she has disappeared. He knows things are not what they seem when he finds that her dialysis machine is still in her home and that her uncle, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, has come up with an unbelievable story to cover her absence. Just when it doesn't appear as if things could get any worse, his soon-to-be-ex appears and tells him she's pregnant and it’s his child.

3 Lies is filled with action (not the bang-bang shoot'em-up kind although there is a little of that as well), suspense and deceit. While Clint attempts to find out the truth behind Beth's absence, he discovers that she's actually been kidnapped. He then discovers that there is a family member or friend missing that has ties to each of the Supreme Court justices. The justices are told not to inform the authorities but they are never asked to change their votes or positions on any upcoming cases. To make matters worse, Beth has not had dialysis in several days and her life is truly endangered by this fact alone. He also has to contend with his ex, who has decided she wants a reconciliation. Is it too little too late even if there's a child involved? Things really get interesting when the CIA launches their own internal investigation into an old code that shows up one day, a possible computer worm, and 10 missing agents with loose ties to the Middle East. Not everything in this story made sense to me, such as why the Supreme Court Justice is residing in Boston while supposedly being active on the court in Washington DC? Does he commute daily or is he a telecommuter? I wondered about this but it doesn’t really distract from the overall story. Ms. Hanson fills this story with numerous twists and turns that kept me wondering how does this tie in and hoping and praying that Beth, and the other hostages, get rescued in time. 3 Lies raises the question of who can we really trust? Can we trust the government or her agents? Can we trust family and friends? How far will a person go to protect themselves and their vested interests no matter how perverted? If you're into suspense thrillers, then I suggest you add this to your to-be-read list.
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Mar 26, 2011 Jaidis Shaw rated it 5 of 5 stars

I recently had the pleasure of reading 3 Lies by Helen Hanson. Right from the start the reader will be reeled in: hook, line and sinker. We meet Beth and Clint who happen to be a new couple. They provide each other stability in this crazy world. Clint is going through a divorce that he so desperately wishes would just hurry and end. Beth must receive dialysis three times a week in order to save her kidneys. They are a breath of fresh air for each other and things look promising. But when Beth is...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Scott Whitmore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Looking for a fun thriller/mystery with plenty of plot twists and surprises? "3 Lies" by Helen Hanson could just be what you're after.

Clint Masters is a man who made a great deal of money in the technology field, but who has taken a self-imposed leave of absence for personal reason. On the cusp of having a divorce finalized, he has been dating Beth Sutton. At the start of "3 Lies" they were to meet for breakfast at Beth's house, but when Clint arrives she is nowhere to be found. His search for h...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action, adventure, book-reviews, fiction, mystery, romance, spy, suspense, terrorist

Article first published as Book Review:3-Lies by Helen Hanson on Blogcritics.

Terror has its own vices, where belief creates a certain way of life. Money can even sabotage those intentions, twisting belief of reason to a belief in money. Even the best of intentions change for the ever-elusive dollar.

In 3-Lies by Helen Hanson, we follow the lives of Beth Sutton and her new boyfriend Clint Masters, as well as his faithful dog Louie. Beth is a kind and loving young woman, finding love at a time when...more Article first published as Book Review:3-Lies by Helen Hanson on Blogcritics.

Terror has its own vices, where belief creates a certain way of life. Money can even sabotage those intentions, twisting belief of reason to a belief in money. Even the best of intentions change for the ever-elusive dollar.

In 3-Lies by Helen Hanson, we follow the lives of Beth Sutton and her new boyfriend Clint Masters, as well as his faithful dog Louie. Beth is a kind and loving young woman, finding love at a time when her life is not at its best. On dialysis, she has not kept her diagnosis a secret from Clint, allowing him to know everything about her from the start. Beginning a relationship with secrets is in no way acceptable to her or her way of life. If he can deal this this than she understands, he can deal with anything.

Kidnapped in a bizarre scheme by a group of terrorists in an effort to blackmail the Supreme Court Justices, Beth is at the mercy of a group with nothing to lose. Bewildered by the action taken by her family, Clint is confused. They not only refuse to report her missing, they file a restraining order against him as a stalker. He struggles with the enormity of the circumstances as he feels her life leak away the longer she is away from both her medication and her dialysis machine. Without them, her system will shut down, and yet he is anathema to the family.

To top it all off his best friend is after him to come back into the business and his soon to be ex-wife has just announced to him that he is going to be a father. Yet none of this makes sense, or compares to the terror he feels at Beth’s disappearance. Not entirely sure of his feelings for her prior to the event, he is now more than ever convinced that he loves her and there is the possibility that he will never see her again.

In a separate situation within the CIA, a young agent Doug Bryant has stumbled on an old code file, one that seems to bring some disturbing information about agents gone missing. Due to his discovery, his clearance is elevated and he is now in the ranks of those with need to know priorities. As he delves into the files themselves, he finds missing funds, missing ships, and a spy in their midst. What is going on with this missing group of agents, and how will he be able to help with his lack of experience?

As both investigations begin to intermesh, the CIA in in the dark about the missing person occurrences, those that deal with the disappearances of the friends and family members of several of the Supreme Court Justices. As every move Doug makes is blocked, he finally finds some of the information he needs to go forward. But who does he trust? He thinks he knows but how can he be sure?

When the leads bring him and his lead together with Clint, they begin to see the scheme as it unfolds. Murder and kidnapping, are just a few of the capabilities of this group of individuals they are tracking. Can they get the information and find Beth in time? When the clues all come together, will they be able to stop this plot from going forward. In a race against time, with lives at stake will Doug and Clint decipher the clues in time?

Hanson has developed a diabolical plot, ones that seems both real and deadly. Her characters, from Beth to Clint, from Doug to the other captives, deliver on the reality of people with whom you can relate. They are human with both strengths and flaws. Overcoming obstacles, and yet at times showing such human emotions, sadness, sympathy, jealousy, and spite, it is easy to imagine the interaction. I was impressed how Hanson was able to take two separate occurrences and draw a line between the two, intersecting and bringing them to fruition in a way that is both believable and impressive.

I would recommend this book for the suspense and thriller seeker. It also delivers on romance, action and adventure, and just a bit of stepping outside of who you are. Once started, I could not put it down. The writing is genuine and the feelings are heartfelt. This would be a wonderful book for your library. I look forward to reading more from Helen Hanson, she has an artistry that is hard to deny.

This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
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Jan 30, 2013 Dana Griffin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love it when I read authors I’ve haven’t read before, get sucked into their book, read it in a few sittings, and look forward to their next one. This is how I feel about this book.

The writing is vivid and flows smoothly advancing the story with each word. The plot is complicated making this reader question through the first two thirds of the story how several of the scenarios are connected. This reminded me of Robert Ludlum’s stories. The characters are complex giving interesting side stories...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Frederick Brooke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Actually this is just the kind of book I really like, featuring sympathetic characters, an unusual plot, settings in places I’d hang out in if I could, and lots of really good, crisp, witty, even hilarious writing. The main character, Clint, is a likeable fellow whose software has changed the world. After ten years on the nonstop treadmill, Clint has dropped out and is living on a boat called the No Moor.

Running through the book as its plottish backbone is a terrorist scheme involving the suprem...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Shasta Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love suspenseful and thrilling books and this one is now at the top of my favorites list! The story line was catching from the first chapter and kept me waiting for what was going to happen next. While the main character Clint Masters, was the forefront of the story, the other characters were ever present and very well played out, so you never forgot where their roll came in to factor. With the presence of the CIA, Supreme Court, kidnapping, personal life drama and terrorists, this was an awes...more

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May 25, 2011 Tony McFadden rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fantastic book.

If this is a first effort, as I've read in another review, I'm going to have to read everything she writes.

A well plotted thriller with very few flaws, I highly recommend this. Hours of lost sleep attest to the 'can't put it down'-ness (if that's a thing).

Alternating points of view, from the CIA to the black hats to the victims and the hero draw the reader in to a very believable world. Plenty of red-herrings to keep the reader guessing, yet the finale unwinds with logic.

Well d...more

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Jun 08, 2011 David King rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My full review can be found on my blog : http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com

The story itself mainly follows Clint Masters who has taken a leave of absence from his own high-tech company whilst he awaits the divorce from his childhood sweetheart to become final. He is happy though as he has met a woman named Beth Sutton with whom things are going well until he arrives at her home one morning to find her missing. Clint investigates the disappearance even though her family keep telling him that the...more

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Mar 15, 2011 *Babs* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-asked-to-review, mysteries, suspense, thrillers

My 2 cents:

In this techno, espionage thriller the book has everything a person could want, twits, thrills, great characters, and suspense. You could tell Helen is not afraid of writing about technology she was comfortable and you could tell through out the read.

I liked the read as it was fast past and each page you wanted to know more and more. There are disability issues, political etc. This book can keep everyone interested and going at the same time.

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Mar 03, 2013 Jane Sadek rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, ebook

Bravo Helen! You kept me guessing until the end. This book was a rollicking good time. Some of the good guys might be bad guys. The bad guys might not be as awful as you'd want them to be. The hero is an underdog, but he's also handsome and rich, so you never get around to feeling too sorry for him. The heroine is truly in dire straits, but no unnecessary hand wringing is involved. It was so good I almost got it read in one setting!

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May 01, 2013 Angie Pierce rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great book. I'm usually very good at determining plots and the difference between the good guys and the bad guys and this one threw quite a few surprises my way.

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Feb 05, 2013 Barbara Brassey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this free Kindle book after seeing reviews on Twitter. Another book that held me from page one.

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Jul 06, 2011 Coral rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: indies-good-read-2011

Read/listen to my review here:

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May 03, 2013 Peggy marked it as to-read

Shelves: bookbub-mysteries

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About Helen Hanson

Bestselling Kindle author Helen Hanson writes thrillers about desperate people with a high-tech bent. Hackers. The CIA. Industry titans. Guys on sailboats. Mobsters. Their personal maelstroms pit them against unrelenting forces willing to kill. Throughout the journey, they try to find some truth, a little humor, and their humanity — from either end of the trigger.

While Helen writes about the power...more

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