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The Truth Is a Lie
A childhood lie. A deadly truth. And a name that was never supposed to exist.
Abby has spent her life running from a childhood tragedy, one she’s convinced she caused: the death of her twin sister. As a child, Abby blamed an imaginary friend named Tina. But no one believed her. And over time, even she has begun to doubt herself.
Now, years later, she’s a mother trying to leave the past behind. But when her young daughter begins whispering to an invisible friend, one with a familiar name, her carefully rebuilt life starts to unravel. Desperate for answers, Abby uncovers eerie childhood drawings in the basement, along with a name scrawled in childish handwriting: Tina.
Tina was never real. That’s what they told her. But they were wrong.
For generations, Abby’s family has been cursed—one ‘good’ twin, one ‘bad’ twin—a legacy steeped in jealousy, betrayal, and tragedy. Determined to break the cycle and prove her innocence, she turns to the last person she ever wanted to trust—her ex-husband. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes: Some imaginary friends were never imaginary at all. And the truth is more dangerous than the lies Abby has told herself.
Abby has spent her life running from a childhood tragedy, one she’s convinced she caused: the death of her twin sister. As a child, Abby blamed an imaginary friend named Tina. But no one believed her. And over time, even she has begun to doubt herself.
Now, years later, she’s a mother trying to leave the past behind. But when her young daughter begins whispering to an invisible friend, one with a familiar name, her carefully rebuilt life starts to unravel. Desperate for answers, Abby uncovers eerie childhood drawings in the basement, along with a name scrawled in childish handwriting: Tina.
Tina was never real. That’s what they told her. But they were wrong.
For generations, Abby’s family has been cursed—one ‘good’ twin, one ‘bad’ twin—a legacy steeped in jealousy, betrayal, and tragedy. Determined to break the cycle and prove her innocence, she turns to the last person she ever wanted to trust—her ex-husband. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes: Some imaginary friends were never imaginary at all. And the truth is more dangerous than the lies Abby has told herself.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2025
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2836 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 6, 2024
This book was perfect. It had the right amount of suspense, thrill, and paranormal elements to it. Nothing was over the top or lacking. The twist at the end was crazy!!!!!!! I have really enjoyed both books I’ve read by this author.
June 28, 2024
Oooohhhhhh what a read!!! Eerie, chilling, atmospheric and addictive. The style of writing was right up my street with chapters told from multiple pov giving us lots of different angles to the story. The perspectives of each of the main players really helps us feel engrossed in what is playing out in front of us as secrets are uncovered and past traumas are brought to execution.
In a nutshell twins Abby and Ally are born into a family from a long line of twin girls, one always dark haired and dark eyes, one blonde haired and blue eyes. One of the girls always claims to have “the gift” the ability to predict when something bad will happen, Only Abby killed her sister when she was 7 but the only people who know this are herself, her mum Rosemary and aunty Ruby. But Abby claims the real culprit was their imaginary friend Tina.
This is a haunting read, detailing back decades of the history of this tainted family, I loved it from beginning to end. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
In a nutshell twins Abby and Ally are born into a family from a long line of twin girls, one always dark haired and dark eyes, one blonde haired and blue eyes. One of the girls always claims to have “the gift” the ability to predict when something bad will happen, Only Abby killed her sister when she was 7 but the only people who know this are herself, her mum Rosemary and aunty Ruby. But Abby claims the real culprit was their imaginary friend Tina.
This is a haunting read, detailing back decades of the history of this tainted family, I loved it from beginning to end. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2024
"a thousand year old course" of twins runs through Abby's family tree and it's always the same - one twin is good and the other is evil (I found it a bit unrealistic that there were always female sets of twins, but this is fiction, so roll with it!). I found the story very intriguing and it had me guessing and pondering for most of the book. It did lose me a tiny bit towards the end when everything got revealed and all loose ends got tied together; I was trying to keep it straight in my mind who's who and how they all relate to Abby's story. Overall, it was a wonderful story where lies, deceit and secrets shattered lives, then they were brought back together to face the ultimate truth.
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC for an honest review
Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC for an honest review
January 18, 2025
I absolutely have to stop getting book recommendations from Tik Tok
July 6, 2024
So good. I really liked these charecters, well most of them but that’s really the way it should be! Well written in my opinion. Wrapped everything up quite well. While Ithought we were going in circles obviously the author knew exactly what she was doing! Of course! You should read it!!
September 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Overall, I really enjoyed this chilling psychological thriller. I loved the writing style with chapters told from multiple POVs, showing various angles to the story. It kept me guessing the whole time and I absolutely could not put this book down. However, there was just one plot hole that prevented me from giving this book five stars.
I really enjoyed the idea of the generations of their family history, and the family curse. I thought it was such a unique idea.
I also loved the idea of the imaginary friend, which reminded me of the book Small Spaces.
The plot hole that I mentioned earlier was
Ultimately, a gripping, haunting read that will keep you up at night. Great characters and character development too.
Overall, I really enjoyed this chilling psychological thriller. I loved the writing style with chapters told from multiple POVs, showing various angles to the story. It kept me guessing the whole time and I absolutely could not put this book down. However, there was just one plot hole that prevented me from giving this book five stars.
I really enjoyed the idea of the generations of their family history, and the family curse. I thought it was such a unique idea.
I also loved the idea of the imaginary friend, which reminded me of the book Small Spaces.
The plot hole that I mentioned earlier was
Ultimately, a gripping, haunting read that will keep you up at night. Great characters and character development too.
November 4, 2024
"I believe that anyone can break a curse if they really want to. Curses are only real if you believe in them."
The truth is a lie is a psychological thriller and horror book which is set in generational family setting with women as main characters. There are multiple POV here in the book starting with Abby, her husband Jared, Abby's mom Rosemary, her sister Ruby.
Abby's family has line of the twins in the family, her mother was a twin, her mother's mother was twin as well. But there's a catch. One among the twin is born evil while other is good. That's the curse her family has been suffering from generations.
"We are all born with the ability to be bad, but it attaches itself to some more than others."
The book starts with a punchline " I killed my sister." It had me hooked from the very start, although it took me a while to finish the book it doesn't reflect on books capability to hold my attention. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the book. There's this eerie and surreal atmosphere that book sets from the very start. It was an amazing read. Only thing that I think could have been better is
* A little bit more character development
* Jared's writing should have been different, it did not feel like a man's POV but rather a woman's POV.
* The ending. I feel the ending did not do the justice to the whole book which was too good. I expected it to end with a bang.
* I had figured out one twist early on so it didn't shock me but the other twists were bang on.
Overall definitely worth reading and highly recommended.
Thank you Netgalley and Sleuthing Sloth Press for the wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Some quotes worth mentioning
People often roleplay in a fantasy story starring themselves along with the one they think they can't live without. Only to find out that the real world with them is nothing like they imagined.
Dreams are like messages in a bottle, and the mind often sends them under distress as a call for help or a warning.
There's one thing I know for sure about mirrors, they tell the truth —it's the people looking into them that are the liars.
I don't think it's possible to help someone find their way if they don't even know they are lost.
I guess it's like that with parents and grandparents —grandparents try to make up for their lack of parenting or lack of knowledge from when they were the parent. Grandchildren can get away with murder.
The truth is a lie is a psychological thriller and horror book which is set in generational family setting with women as main characters. There are multiple POV here in the book starting with Abby, her husband Jared, Abby's mom Rosemary, her sister Ruby.
Abby's family has line of the twins in the family, her mother was a twin, her mother's mother was twin as well. But there's a catch. One among the twin is born evil while other is good. That's the curse her family has been suffering from generations.
"We are all born with the ability to be bad, but it attaches itself to some more than others."
The book starts with a punchline " I killed my sister." It had me hooked from the very start, although it took me a while to finish the book it doesn't reflect on books capability to hold my attention. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the book. There's this eerie and surreal atmosphere that book sets from the very start. It was an amazing read. Only thing that I think could have been better is
* A little bit more character development
* Jared's writing should have been different, it did not feel like a man's POV but rather a woman's POV.
* The ending. I feel the ending did not do the justice to the whole book which was too good. I expected it to end with a bang.
* I had figured out one twist early on so it didn't shock me but the other twists were bang on.
Overall definitely worth reading and highly recommended.
Thank you Netgalley and Sleuthing Sloth Press for the wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Some quotes worth mentioning
People often roleplay in a fantasy story starring themselves along with the one they think they can't live without. Only to find out that the real world with them is nothing like they imagined.
Dreams are like messages in a bottle, and the mind often sends them under distress as a call for help or a warning.
There's one thing I know for sure about mirrors, they tell the truth —it's the people looking into them that are the liars.
I don't think it's possible to help someone find their way if they don't even know they are lost.
I guess it's like that with parents and grandparents —grandparents try to make up for their lack of parenting or lack of knowledge from when they were the parent. Grandchildren can get away with murder.
November 20, 2024
If you like a good thriller with mystery, suspense, and paranormal elements this book will not disappoint. This is the 2nd book that I have read by this author after reading Where Secrets Stay last year. I really enjoyed her first book but this one is even better. Nothing is what it seems in this story and as the plot unfolded my jaw dropped more that once at the surprising twists and turns that came along through out the story.
Without giving away too much the story has to do with a single mother with a daughter who has a secret. She accidentally killed her twin sister when she was a child but was convinced that it was actually done by her imaginary friend. When the mother discovers that her daughter is communicating with her dead sister she begins to wonder what really happened all of those years ago.
Oh, and for fans of spice there's a little of that too.
This is a unique and very original story and I highly recommend it for any fan of thrillers involving the paranormal.
Without giving away too much the story has to do with a single mother with a daughter who has a secret. She accidentally killed her twin sister when she was a child but was convinced that it was actually done by her imaginary friend. When the mother discovers that her daughter is communicating with her dead sister she begins to wonder what really happened all of those years ago.
Oh, and for fans of spice there's a little of that too.
This is a unique and very original story and I highly recommend it for any fan of thrillers involving the paranormal.
July 18, 2024
When Abby was seven years old, her imaginary friend killed her twin sister., Ally. It wasn't Abby, right?
Fast forward to the present. Abby starts thinking about her sister's death again when she hears her daughter talking to Ally. With the memories flooding back, Abby is determined to figure out the real killer, once at for all.
Loved this chilling and suspenseful read! This haunting story traces back through Abby and Ally's relatives. Loved all the creepy elements. I found the plot line unique and unpredictable. So many wild twists and turns, especially at the end! I read this book really quickly as I had to find out what was happening! This was my first read by CherAnn Wright, but definitely not my last!
Thank you Sleuthing Sloth Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fast forward to the present. Abby starts thinking about her sister's death again when she hears her daughter talking to Ally. With the memories flooding back, Abby is determined to figure out the real killer, once at for all.
Loved this chilling and suspenseful read! This haunting story traces back through Abby and Ally's relatives. Loved all the creepy elements. I found the plot line unique and unpredictable. So many wild twists and turns, especially at the end! I read this book really quickly as I had to find out what was happening! This was my first read by CherAnn Wright, but definitely not my last!
Thank you Sleuthing Sloth Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2025
I really enjoyed the unfolding of the mystery in The Truth is a Lie. About 51% of the way through the book I had a sense of what was coming. While I turned out to be mostly right, the story had much more depth than I expected. That balance between predictability and surprise kept me turning the pages, eager to see if I was actually right.
The ending was wild. Definitely one of those moments where I had to remind myself of the difference between what's possible in the real world and what's acceptable in the "book world." That's often something I wrestle with in contemporary fiction, but in this case, I was willing to go along for the ride.
After finishing, I even went back and spot-checked a few details, and they really did line up. It’s clear the author wove the story with intention, and that made the whole experience more satisfying.
The ending was wild. Definitely one of those moments where I had to remind myself of the difference between what's possible in the real world and what's acceptable in the "book world." That's often something I wrestle with in contemporary fiction, but in this case, I was willing to go along for the ride.
After finishing, I even went back and spot-checked a few details, and they really did line up. It’s clear the author wove the story with intention, and that made the whole experience more satisfying.
July 27, 2024
One of the best books I've read in a long time. A winding tale with surprise twists and turns with characters you are invested in throughout the storyline. Wonderful character development. Well thought out plot with lots of suspense told from many different character's perspectives. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
August 10, 2024
I got the pleasure of meeting CherAnn at a book festival and picked up this book from her, it’s her second novel and it’s lovely! There are so many twists and turns and kept me so entertained and invested in the plot. Along with being a great story, there are great lessons and quotes that can be taken from this which I love.
“Secrets are like eyeballs, everyone has them, only some choose not to see. They’re blind to what’s right in front of them, and the same goes for the truth - it’s for something we won’t even let ourselves see.” (158)
“What I know now is that you can never run from your true self.” (282)
“Secrets are like eyeballs, everyone has them, only some choose not to see. They’re blind to what’s right in front of them, and the same goes for the truth - it’s for something we won’t even let ourselves see.” (158)
“What I know now is that you can never run from your true self.” (282)
September 25, 2024
What a thriller!! Had me guessing the whole time! Just when you think you have it figured out... you don't.
October 26, 2024
When I saw this book at a convention something told me that i would love it. And I absolutely did! I smacked my husband a couple times while reading it lol. It’s beautifully written. And kept me beyond guessing. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
November 18, 2024
Fantastic book! Great pace, never a good place to stop reading or get bored!
July 27, 2024
Fun read for summer break. It keeps you guessing!
June 4, 2025
Abby and Alli were twins. Abby kept telling everyone that her imaginary friend Tina killed her twin sister but everyone made her believe that she is the one who caused her death. Now years later, her daughter also has an imaginary friend named Tina and she also find Tina’s name in her daughter’s drawing too. Soon she realises that imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary and the family is cursed. They must find a way to break the curse. Truth was twisted and even more suspenseful. Author’s writing is compelling. The book was atmospheric and suspenseful. The book is also quote worthy.
4.5/5
Thanks to the Publisher
4.5/5
Thanks to the Publisher
June 29, 2025
Amazing
I am so glad I finally read this book. There was never a dull moment, there was never confusion and the family story just drew you in. Generational family story with a twist.
I am so glad I finally read this book. There was never a dull moment, there was never confusion and the family story just drew you in. Generational family story with a twist.
August 20, 2025
I met the author at the Columbus Book Fest and purchased this book! Loved the thrills and suspense! I can’t wait to read her other book.
Hopefully, she will be cranking out some more in the future! Great read!
Hopefully, she will be cranking out some more in the future! Great read!
June 3, 2025
4.39
This may as well have been a tornado family with all the twists and turns at the end.
Had me going, I figured out one of the twists, but a reader claims they knew them all ahead of time I'm calling that reader a bs-er.
This may as well have been a tornado family with all the twists and turns at the end.
Had me going, I figured out one of the twists, but a reader claims they knew them all ahead of time I'm calling that reader a bs-er.
September 8, 2025
If you want some thriller, suspense, twists, and turns and a little paranormal, this book is for you.
When Abby is seven, her twin sister Ally is killed, and she is blamed. Abby stated her imaginary friend Tina killed her, but no one believed her.
Now, a single Mom Abby is getting her life back together until she overhears her daughter talking to an imaginary friend named Ally, and memories and thoughts return, making Abby question what really happened when she was younger.
As Abby dives into the past looking for answers, dark secrets are uncovered. A legacy of twins, a family curse, and a past that refuses to stay silent.
This book sucked me in from the beginning, I couldn't put it down.
When Abby is seven, her twin sister Ally is killed, and she is blamed. Abby stated her imaginary friend Tina killed her, but no one believed her.
Now, a single Mom Abby is getting her life back together until she overhears her daughter talking to an imaginary friend named Ally, and memories and thoughts return, making Abby question what really happened when she was younger.
As Abby dives into the past looking for answers, dark secrets are uncovered. A legacy of twins, a family curse, and a past that refuses to stay silent.
This book sucked me in from the beginning, I couldn't put it down.
July 22, 2024
This book was great. The characters were very likeable and thought provoking but what I liked the most about this story was the plot. Not only was it nothing like I could have ever imagined but it sunk it's claws into me quickly and I was desperate to figure out the end. The story will have any reader hooked however the flawless way that this author creates her world's and characters is what will have any reader coming back for more. This story is all about twin girls Ally and Abby. The girls come from a long line of twins each pair always a fair and a dark version of the other, but where things get different is the dark haired twin always kills the fair child, and Abby and Ally are no different. The only difference is Abby claimed that she didn't hurt Ally and that it was her friend Tina. Where the problem lies is that according to everything ne Tina is imaginary and she can't do any harm? But is this really the case? Years later when all of her memories come back Abby is determined to find out what really happened to her sister and to protect her family at any cost. And when her daughter is suddenly talking to her imaginary friend Ally, Abby starts to get worried. This book pulled me in very quickly however the time jumps and the multiple view points made it a little hard to get through at times. While this was very different and not as light a read as I was expecting originally, I was still very invested in the characters and I found myself digging for answers after every chapter. With so many secrets to discover I couldn't get enough but what was really great was even though there were so many other secrets they all came back to the original, what happens to Ally. The determination that Abby felt was so strong and I loved trying to figure out what was really going on with Ally along with our main character. Great read and I'm so glad I got to check it out. I loved the mystery behind this story and it was one that really grabbed you and left you haunted afterwords by the story but also the power behind the author's words. Great job I couldn't read this book fast enough. This is one book that all mystery fans should check out, and I can't wait to see it on shelves. The ending will leave you speachless but dying to talk about it at the same time.
July 27, 2024
Loved the way the story and the characters unfolded. The right amount of creepy and suspenseful to make it an enjoyable read. Loved all of the different points of view.
July 25, 2025
Loved her writing style. Great storyline developed over a good pace.
December 12, 2024
I was a winner of a giveaway for this book.
It’s… not good. I realized after the fact that it was self-published, and while there are many great books in that category, this is one that really needed the help of an editor or five. I don’t mean a copy editor; the grammar and punctuation are fine. I mean a literary editor to help with plotting, characterization, and pacing.
I don’t need books to be realistic. I love magical realism, sci-fi, supernatural elements. I do need to get the sense that the characters feel real to the author, and that is missing. None of them have any depth or feel especially differentiated. The only part of the book that rang true for me was a depiction of how a young child would write something, and it turns out that the author is a specialist in early childhood literacy, to that makes sense.
The depiction of queer characters is especially cringeworthy.
This is tough to critique without spoilers because so many of the problems are major plot devices, but the author also broadcasts every “twist” loudly and clumsily.
It’s… not good. I realized after the fact that it was self-published, and while there are many great books in that category, this is one that really needed the help of an editor or five. I don’t mean a copy editor; the grammar and punctuation are fine. I mean a literary editor to help with plotting, characterization, and pacing.
I don’t need books to be realistic. I love magical realism, sci-fi, supernatural elements. I do need to get the sense that the characters feel real to the author, and that is missing. None of them have any depth or feel especially differentiated. The only part of the book that rang true for me was a depiction of how a young child would write something, and it turns out that the author is a specialist in early childhood literacy, to that makes sense.
The depiction of queer characters is especially cringeworthy.
This is tough to critique without spoilers because so many of the problems are major plot devices, but the author also broadcasts every “twist” loudly and clumsily.
December 27, 2024
I received a copy of The Truth Is a Lie in a giveaway and it delivered an amazing mystery. It starts out with a solid punch "I killed my sister." Then the hits just kept coming with lots of colorful and vivid analogies to really get you invested. Once you thought you figured out what the twist was or where the story was going there would be another twist or question to answer.
The story is told by multiple view points and flashbacks. There is Abby and her twin sister, Ally, who is killed and Abby says that her imaginary friend did it. Jared is Abby's ex-husband but he still loves her. Rosemary is Abby's mother and hasn’t spoken since Ally died. Then there is Ruby, Abby's Aunt and Rosemary's twin sister. Ruby abhorrers her sister and thinks the family is cursed. Each character brings their own past, perspective, baggage, and conclusions to the mystery.
I very much enjoyed this wild, dark, and intense thriller, no lie.
The story is told by multiple view points and flashbacks. There is Abby and her twin sister, Ally, who is killed and Abby says that her imaginary friend did it. Jared is Abby's ex-husband but he still loves her. Rosemary is Abby's mother and hasn’t spoken since Ally died. Then there is Ruby, Abby's Aunt and Rosemary's twin sister. Ruby abhorrers her sister and thinks the family is cursed. Each character brings their own past, perspective, baggage, and conclusions to the mystery.
I very much enjoyed this wild, dark, and intense thriller, no lie.
July 30, 2024
I read this 300+ page book within the span of the day. It was a very easy and addictive read.
For a novel with so many characters and povs, I was surprised at how well I was able to follow the plot— this was probably one of the most well-done ways it has been done in a book I’ve read.
There was suspense and drama, though it wasn’t super intense. Still done well enough that I kept reading even after bedtime.
I wanted to give this 3.5 because I didn’t feel super surprised with the twists and turns, and the ending was fine but didn’t really inspire any deep feelings. However, I gave it 4 instead of 3 stars because there were a couple unexpected twists, and I do like a pretty bow wrapping up the end of the story.
For a novel with so many characters and povs, I was surprised at how well I was able to follow the plot— this was probably one of the most well-done ways it has been done in a book I’ve read.
There was suspense and drama, though it wasn’t super intense. Still done well enough that I kept reading even after bedtime.
I wanted to give this 3.5 because I didn’t feel super surprised with the twists and turns, and the ending was fine but didn’t really inspire any deep feelings. However, I gave it 4 instead of 3 stars because there were a couple unexpected twists, and I do like a pretty bow wrapping up the end of the story.
September 1, 2024
Very intriguing!
October 9, 2025
This is a really great book with lots of twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews