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Two Truths One Lie

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A dinner party. A game among friends. A confession that changes everything.

After losing our eldest daughter, life has been a blur of grief. I’m barely holding it together for Abby, our youngest. So when my husband, Brad, suggests an anniversary dinner with friends, I say yes. Just one night of normal. Abby needs that.

Then someone suggests we play Two Truths and a Lie.

It’s meant to be harmless fun. Until it’s Brad’s turn.

“I’ve never seen Harry Potter. I once stole a bike. I once killed a man.”

He laughs it off. Says he’s joking. But I see his eyes. The way they shift and go cold.

And in that very moment, I know he’s telling the truth.

Now I can’t stop asking questions — about the man I married, about who he killed and why. Because if my husband really killed someone, what else is he capable of?

308 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2025

About the author

Alex Sinclair

8 books107 followers
Alex Sinclair is a psychological thriller author from a quiet town near Melbourne, Australia. When he’s not spending time with his wife and two kids, Alex can be found writing fast-paced, twist-filled stories that keep readers hooked and on edge. A fan of domestic and psychological thrillers, he’s passionate about creating gripping tales that leave readers questioning what’s real until the very last page

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for paula a.
139 reviews5 followers
September 4, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC!

3’75/5 but 4/5🌟

I really enjoyed it. There were certain parts in which the dread of certain character made it harder to continue but curiosity took the best of me. Characters are very well designed, the plot is certainly extremely well-designed and plot twists did plot twist how you expect them to.

Some certain ideas gave me an ick (i read a lot of thriller and mystery) but good gracious it was GOOD. the moment i reached certain % i couldn’t stop reading.

i fully recommend the book if you like mystery, thrillers and marriage psychological thrillers specifically!
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,238 reviews
September 27, 2025
3.75 ⭐️

This was my first Alex Sinclair read and it was a compelling! Two Truths and a Lie took a simple party game and twisted it into a chilling psychological thriller.

Two Truths and a Lie followed Maia who was still grieving the loss of her eldest daughter when her husband, Brad, suggested they go out with friends for their anniversary. What was supposed to be a fun night took a chilling turn when they played Two Truths and a Lie and Brad blurted out, “I once killed a man.” He laughed it off as a joke, but Maia couldn’t shake the feeling he was hiding something—and suddenly she was questioning how well she really knew her husband.

I liked how the setup pulled me in right away—the idea of a casual dinner game turning into a nightmare was clever and kept the tension simmering. The story moves quickly, and I was hooked on trying to figure out whether Brad’s “lie” was really a lie at all. At the same time, some of the twists felt a little predictable, and a few parts dragged when the focus shifted too heavily onto Maia’s grief instead of the suspense. Even so, the mix of family drama and psychological tension made this an entertaining read.

Alex Sinclair’s writing style is quick, tense, and easy to sink into. He uses short chapters and steady suspense to keep the pages turning, while mixing in just enough emotion to ground the twists. His style reminds me of Freida McFadden’s quick, binge-worthy pacing mixed with the emotional undercurrent you’d find in a Lisa Jewell thriller.

All said and done, this was a tense, entertaining story with just the right amount of twists. This is one I recommend. If you enjoy fast, twisty psychological thrillers with short chapters, family drama, and that addictive Freida McFadden or Lisa Jewell vibe, you’ll find this a satisfying read.

Thanks Net Galley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in return for my feedback.
207 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2025
3.75 rounded to 4 stars for me. My first by this author and it will not be the last.

Maia and her husband throwing a dinner party to celebrate the tenth anniversary. Dealing with grief for the past five years after losing their eldest daughter, it's not easy and her husband have one to many to drink. When they play a game two truths and one lie, on Brad turn he said he killed a man. Everyone think it's a joke,but Maia knows her husband and she's not so sure. Being suspicious of her own husband it's only a beginning to the can of worms she's about to open.

Will Maia get her answers?
Is Brad the perfect husband she could count for in bad times?

I could not put this book down. It was creepy and dark,the author executed suspense and tension just right. At the end I thought wow, how I switch my like to Brad instead of Maia,that was a cleaver twist.Nothing in this book is at it seems.

I would recommend this book for thriller and suspense fans.

Thank you JOFFE books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Profile Image for OutlawPoet.
1,761 reviews69 followers
September 16, 2025
This is decent enough and kept me reading.

I did not care for any of our characters, which made it a little tough. I'm sure I was supposed to feel worried for and a bit sorry for our MC. I didn't.

The twisty bits suffer from way too many hints throughout the book. I think by the time you get to it, the only person who doesn't know the truth is the main character. It definitely removes some of the suspense.

A solid enough read that entertained.

* ARC via Publisher
Profile Image for Rachael.
789 reviews12 followers
October 5, 2025
A dinner party. A harmless game. A confession that changes everything.

After losing their eldest daughter, Maia and Brad are barely keeping their family together. When Brad suggests an anniversary dinner with friends, Maia agrees — just one night of normal for the sake of their youngest daughter, Abby. But when the group plays Two Truths and a Lie, Brad’s shocking statement — “I once killed a man” — turns the evening on its head. He laughs it off as a joke, but Maia sees the shift in his eyes and begins to wonder: was it really a lie?

This was somewhere between two and three stars for me. It’s written well and fast-paced, and I definitely wanted to find out what happened. However, the story quickly became repetitive, and much of the plot felt far-fetched. Why would Brad say he killed someone during a party game? Why would Maia — who suspects he may have killed the man responsible for their daughter’s death — suddenly be terrified of him? Her leap in logic felt inconsistent with her thoughts earlier in the dinner, and from that point on the narrative kept circling back to how awful Brad supposedly was.

The characters were all unlikable, particularly Brad, whose behaviour made little sense. Some story arcs felt incomplete, and one death seemed unnecessary, added only to create extra suspects. You’ll need to suspend a huge amount of disbelief to get through it, and the ending didn’t offer much satisfaction.

Unfortunately, I didn’t really care what happened. I didn’t find it suspenseful. Sorry. Catchy title though.

Thank you to Alex Sinclair, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
4,825 reviews54 followers
September 10, 2025
3.5


Maia Fairbanks intenta reconstruir su vida tras la trágica pérdida de su hija mayor, Imogen. Aunque ahora tiene a Abby, una pequeña de tres años que le da motivos para seguir adelante, el dolor y la culpa continúan marcando cada aspecto de su existencia. En un intento por recuperar la normalidad, ella y su esposo Brad organizan una cena con familiares y amigos. Todo parece ir bien hasta que, durante un juego inocente de Dos verdades y una mentira, Brad revela algo perturbador: “Una vez maté a un hombre”.

Lo que al principio parece una broma pronto despierta en Maia la sospecha de que su marido guarda secretos mucho más oscuros de lo que imaginaba. Conforme los recuerdos del pasado, las dudas y los comportamientos extraños de Brad se acumulan, Maia se ve atrapada en una espiral de paranoia y miedo. ¿Es producto de su ansiedad y el trauma no superado… o realmente vive al lado de un asesino?

Con la tensión creciendo y la seguridad de Abby en juego, Maia tendrá que enfrentarse a verdades dolorosas, mentiras mortales y la posibilidad de que el hombre al que ama sea alguien irreconocible.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
222 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2025
Fast paced and full of suspense!
This book is well written and done to try and keep you on your toes and keep you guessing.
I must admit I very quickly worked out it was going one of two ways, and not much further in, worked out what the plot twist would be. That being said, it did keep me engaged and hoping the possibilities might be I was wrong.

After loosing their eldest daughter, Abby and husband Brad, attempt to finally move on with their lives. While holding a dinner party for a variety of guests, Brad gets drunk and says some strange things during a game of two truths and a lie. Abby’s trust in Brad quickly spirals downward to the point of believing him to be a murderer.

Unfortunately neither of the main characters are particularly likeable so I struggled to get fully invested in them. The plot is quite far fetched and not really plausible, but then, that’s what we turn to books for sometimes!

All in all a quick read, with lots of suspense.
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,621 reviews338 followers
October 11, 2025
Have you ever played two truths and a lie at a dinner party? That innocent icebreaker game takes a sinister turn in Alex Sinclair's latest psychological thriller, and when I spotted this title, I couldn't resist. Having enjoyed one of Alex Sinclair's previous novels, I dove in with high expectations—though what I got was a solidly entertaining, if somewhat uneven, read.

The story centers on Maia and Brad, a couple still reeling from the devastating loss of their eldest child. They're finally ready to host their first dinner party since grief consumed their lives, joined by their youngest daughter Abby and a handful of friends. After a few drinks loosen everyone up, they decide to play the party game. When Brad's turn arrives, he casually drops a bombshell: one of his truths/lie is that he killed a man. While the other guests laugh nervously, Maia notices something chilling—her husband isn't joking.

This moment launches Maia down a rabbit hole of doubt and investigation. Who did Brad kill? Is this connected to their mysterious move from their small hometown? Sinclair effectively builds tension through Maia's perspective as she questions everything she thought she knew about her marriage and her husband's past.

The premise is genuinely intriguing, and Alex Sinclair deserves credit for taking a party game we've all played and weaponizing it into something genuinely unsettling. I found myself racing through chapters, desperate to uncover Brad's secret. The domestic suspense hits all the right notes initially, and the strained marriage dynamic feels authentic—particularly how grief has created distance between the couple.

However, I couldn't shake the feeling that this book needed to dig deeper. The death of their daughter felt oddly superficial given how central it is to their emotional landscape. Similarly, the revelation about "the man" Brad killed felt glossed over and anticlimactic. I wanted more weight, more consequence, more emotional complexity. Instead, the story stretched itself thin, dragging in places where it should have intensified.

This is what I'd call an average thriller—perfectly serviceable for a weekend read, but not one that will haunt you afterward. Alex Sinclair demonstrates solid craftsmanship, but the execution doesn't quite match the promise of that killer premise. If you're looking for a quick, twisty domestic thriller and don't mind some missed opportunities for depth, Two Truths, One Lie will satisfy. Just don't expect it to reach the heights of the genre's best.
Profile Image for ImasolReads.
27 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2025
“Two truths one lie”, de Alex Sinclair, parte de una premisa tan sencilla como inquietante: un juego inocente que se transforma en un detonante de dudas y secretos dentro de un matrimonio. El inicio es potente y el ritmo se sostiene con soltura, lo que convierte la lectura en algo ágil y adictivo.
Hacia la mitad de la historia, algunos giros se vuelven previsibles, lo que resta sorpresa al desenlace. Aun así, el interés se mantiene gracias a la tensión emocional y al misterio que rodea a los personajes.
La manera de razonar de la protagonista no siempre me resultó convincente, y siento que el desarrollo del esposo podría haberse explorado más, considerando su rol en la trama. El final queda abierto a interpretación, lo cual puede resultar estimulante para algunos lectores, aunque en mi caso me dejó con ganas de un cierre más contundente.
En conjunto, es un thriller psicológico entretenido y rápido de leer, ideal para quienes disfrutan del suspense doméstico y las verdades que salen a la luz en el momento menos esperado.
Agradezco a NetGalley y a Joffe Books por el ejemplar anticipado en intercambio por una opinión honesta.

En Inglés

“Two truths one lie” by Alex Sinclair delivers a compelling premise that immediately grabs attention — a casual party game that spirals into a marital nightmare. The setup is brilliant, and the tension builds quickly, making it an easy book to read in one sitting.
However, despite its gripping start, the narrative became somewhat predictable halfway through. I found myself anticipating the outcome early on, which reduced the impact of the later reveals. Even so, I kept reading with curiosity, eager to see how the truth would ultimately unfold.
Some of the protagonist’s reasoning felt repetitive, and I wished for a deeper exploration of Brad’s character, considering his importance to the plot. The ending is left intentionally open, which may work for some readers more than others.
Overall, it’s a fast-paced, entertaining psychological thriller perfect for those who enjoy moral ambiguity and buried secrets.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#DosVerdadesUnaMentira #NetGalley #ARCReview #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #BookReview #Bookstagram #ThrillerReads
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lori L (She Treads Softly) .
2,893 reviews117 followers
October 4, 2025
Two Truths One Lie by Alex Sinclair is a recommended domestic psychological thriller.

Brad and Maia decided to hold a dinner party for their anniversary. They have kept to themselves since the death of their older daughter five years earlier. Now they have a three year old daughter and it's time for Maia to start socializing again. The dinner is going well until they decide to play a game, two truths and a lie. Everyone is enjoying it until it's Brad's turn and he says, "I've never seen Harry Potter. I once stole a bike. I once killed a man." Everyone laughs it off but Maia, who is sure she sees something amiss in her husband's eyes, which sends her spiraling.

This is a fast-paced novel that immediately grabs your attention in the opening chapter and then jumps back a few weeks earlier. In short chapters the narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Brad and Maia. Neither character is likable. They both seem untrustworthy and unreliable. It is clear that Maia is struggling with mental health issues, but Brad seems off too.

Although it is entertaining and packed with tension, after a strong start the novel starts to feel repetitive. You will have to set a huge, massive amount of disbelief aside, which was a struggle for me. I predicted where the plot was heading early on, which kept me reading to see if I was correct. It is entertaining, with plenty of twists, and I'm sure many readers will enjoy it a bit more than I did.

Two Truths One Lie is a good choice for those who enjoy domestic psychological thrillers with untrustworthy narrators. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
Profile Image for janine.
774 reviews10 followers
October 12, 2025
The one thing that really grates me with any book of any subject or genre is repetition, it makes it feel like its either being padded out or as readers we must be a bit dumb and not able to follow the plot. Unfortunately, this was one of those books that was overly repetitive, which was a shame because the premise had me interested instantly.

Told through dual POVs of Maia and Brad, the chapters are short and fast paced, which kept my attention fully until the repetition kicked in.

After losing their eldest daughter five years ago, murdered by a stranger, Maia and Brad have kept themselves closeted away. They now have another child, a three year old daughter Abby, and know she needs to be socialised with other people and children. Now, on their wedding anniversary, they decide to host a dinner party for their friends and their children.

All seems to be going well, or as well as can be when grief is still circling. The children are happily cocooned in the other room watching a movie so the parents decide to play a game... 'Two truths, one lie'. This brings laughter and a lightness to the group, Maia finally feels relaxed until it's Brad's turn.

"I've never seen Harry Potter. I once stole a bike. I once killed a man."

Maia sees a darkness in Brad she's never seen before, and this sends her already fragile mental health spiralling.

Personally, I didn't connect with the characters at all, I found them either completely unlikeable or underdeveloped.

Fast paced with suspense and twists a plenty, but the breadcrumbs of clues throughout does tarnish that slightly. It's a good, quick read. I just wish it didn’t keep going over the same things time and time again.

2.5 rounded to 3⭐️

Thanks to the Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
Profile Image for Kaila.
282 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Sinclair, and Joffe Books for providing me with this ARC!

At the start, I thought I knew who I could trust and who couldn’t. I was fooled repeatedly by this book being yanked in all different theories and directions about who was on Maia’s side. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because I was still gobsmacked. The tragic story of Imy and Brad and Maia’s grief had me tearing up at parts because of the way they were both so destroyed afterwards, despite the husband being the number 1 suspect.

I enjoyed the way we got to see Maia unravel as the story progressed, but also become stronger. You can definitely notice her character development despite her mental setbacks. I hate to say it, but I actually feel for Brad! Something about the way he was destroyed and completely changed after Imy’s was so tragic and sad. Of course, he is a monster…but is he really, or was it just desperation to return to normal?

This was a bingeable, good read, but two things stopped it from reaching five stars—the ending and the breadcrumbing. I grew to dislike Maia very much despite all her growth, and I was not rooting for her because I felt she was a bit unreasonable and selfish in the end, despite her whole character in the beginning being about loving Abby and always wanting her close. I could have gone without Maia’s last chapter and just left it at that. The breadcrumbing lasted a bit too long, but it was done well. Once we reached around 70%, I realised I still had barely any information about what had happened. Feeding readers more information would have done the story better, even if the information was misleading or unreliable.
99 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2025
A simple game that can turn your life upside down. Suspecting your husband of murder. What would you do? I loved the idea of this when I read the blurb. This book looks at trust and lies. Although not just in the game but in real life. A very fitting title for this book. The title being very appropriate, not simply because of the game, but because of how it will affect the entire lives of the characters. It's like the old saying, once you open that door there's no going back. There are plenty of twists in this storyline as well as the big questions. One such question being, if you were presented with an opportunity for vengeance, would you take it? Maia and Brad. A happy couple? How does grief affect a person? And how does it affect others around them? Another big question, this book will ask. For me, the character of Brad, is particularly mysterious. He is sinister and definitely hiding something. I couldn't help but try and figure him out. The author definitely keeps you guessing especially where he is concerned. With a look at the motivations of each character. In certain parts of this book I felt chills. When it comes to Maia you cannot help but root for her. As this book progresses, there is so much tension building. With the sinister undercurrent you can't help but think...
What would I do in Maia's position? I felt compelled to read on. The integrity of the other characters also comes into question. For Maia, the stakes just keep getting higher and higher. The ending was pure genius. The way it came together....Fantastic! This book looks at what's buried deep inside a person. A perfect thriller!
Profile Image for MoMo Book Diary.
434 reviews62 followers
October 18, 2025
This is the second book I’ve read by Alex Sinclair, and I honestly didn’t think he could beat The Ex — but this one hit harder, got under my skin faster and left me questioning everything right alongside the narrator. What gripped me wasn’t the game or the setup — it was that instant gut-punch of “something is very wrong here”. I could feel that creeping dread settle in, the kind that makes you suddenly look at someone you love and think: Do I actually know you at all? The emotional tension is what made it so addictive. There’s grief simmering under every page, and you can feel how fragile she is — not in a weak way, but in that quiet, exhausted way you get when you’re just surviving. That raw vulnerability made every doubt, every suspicion and every thought she had feel completely justified. I love a thriller that doesn’t rely on shock value alone but plays with fear in the everyday — the kind of fear that comes from trust cracking, not doors slamming. I found myself genuinely uneasy at points, imagining how I'd react if I spotted that coldness in someone I thought I knew inside out.
It’s tense, but not chaotic. Emotional, but not heavy-handed. And I realised at the end that I’d barely looked up once — the kind of reading session where tea goes cold and the outside world just fades away. Alex Sinclair has a solid spot on my must-read list. This book didn’t just deliver twists — it made me feel the unravelling. I’m excited for what comes next as this author knows exactly how to mess with my head in the best possible way.
Profile Image for Meg Pearson.
391 reviews9 followers
September 22, 2025
Alex Sinclair’s Two Truths One Lie is a fast-paced, twisty psychological thriller that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The story begins with a seemingly innocent dinner party, but a game of Two Truths and a Lie quickly spirals into suspicion, paranoia, and dark revelations. When Brad casually mentions that he once killed a man, Maia’s world begins to unravel, and the tension never lets up.

The “game” element adds a clever, sinister edge, making every character suspect and every interaction loaded with meaning. Sinclair masterfully balances suspense and emotion, capturing the devastating effects of grief while keeping the reader on edge. Maia’s perspective is grippingly unreliable, pulling you into her doubts, fears, and suspicions, while the occasional glimpses into Brad’s POV add depth and complexity.

Though some twists may require a suspension of disbelief, the pacing is sharp and addictive, making this a book you can binge in one or two sittings. The characters are flawed yet compelling, the reveals are satisfying, and the final twist hits with full impact.

For fans of psychological thrillers that toy with perception, trust, and truth, Two Truths One Lie delivers exactly what you’re looking for: tension, surprises, and a story that lingers long after the last page.
Profile Image for Leanne.
374 reviews53 followers
September 1, 2025
This is the kind of thriller that slips under your skin before you even realise it. What begins as a simple dinner party—a chance to reclaim a sliver of normality after unimaginable grief—quickly spirals into something far more sinister. The game is familiar: Two Truths and a Lie. But when Brad, the husband, delivers his three statements, one of them lands like a gut punch. “I once killed a man.” He laughs. But his eyes don’t.

From that moment, the story tightens like a noose. Sinclair’s pacing is deft, the emotional stakes quietly devastating. The narrator’s voice is raw and intimate, her descent into doubt and dread both believable and deeply unsettling. The domestic setting, once warm and familiar, becomes a stage for secrets, suspicion, and slow-burning fear.

What makes this novel sing is its emotional core—the ache of loss, the fragility of trust, and the terrifying realisation that the person you love most might be a stranger. It’s a psychological thriller with teeth, but also with heart. Perfect for readers who crave tension wrapped in tenderness, and who understand that sometimes the scariest truths are the ones closest to home.

Thank you to Alex Sinclair, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
324 reviews13 followers
October 2, 2025
Two Truths One Lie is a fast-paced, page-turning domestic psychological thriller. Several years after the death of her eldest daughter, Maia decides that it is finally time to attempt to socialize again. Until now, Maia has been content to handle her grief by staying in the house and avoiding friends and family. Deciding to host a dinner party, Maia invites those closest to her and her husband, Brad. During the party, the group plays a game of Two Truths and One Lie, which begins a chain of events that result in Maia questioning her husband, her memories, and, even, her current self.

Two Truths One Lie is a quick and easy read. It is fast-paced, and I definitely wanted to find out what happened. With that said, there were a few aspects of the book that I found difficult. First, the storyline became quite unbelievable at parts, and the ending was unsatisfactory. There were a few story arcs that felt incomplete. All of the characters were super unlikable. In particular, I did not understand the husband's character at all. There was a certain death in the book that seemed unnecessary and confusing - the author was trying too hard to supply additional suspects. Overall, while it was an easy read, it just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Jessica.
708 reviews
September 6, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review

Maia and Brad are hosting their first dinner party since the death of their daughter. Everyone drinks a bit too much, things get a bit heated and things are said like «  I once killed a man ». Maia can’t let go and starts to be very suspicious of her husband, not that the mariage was super healthy to begin with if you ask me. Brad is a master gaslighter (and we find out how much during his POV chapters) to a point where it’s not always super realistic. Honestly I don’t think that a guy like him would actually have the power to get that many people in on it.

Because her memory is failing her (and her husband is not helping if you know what I mean), Maia is a very unreliable narrator. You can feel that the truth is buried somewhere but it won’t come out. I knew where we were going most of the time (but I think you are supposed to) but I was still surprised by the ending.

This book has two tropes I love. Marriage in trouble (it’s not a real thriller if the people are happily married) and someone is evil but not that evil as the other character you did not suspect. I love evil people in thrillers.
Profile Image for A Lane .
194 reviews6 followers
September 9, 2025
I absolutely loved Two Truths One Lie by Alex Sinclair. This dark and twisty domestic thriller had my head spinning. There were so many gasp out loud moments and shocking revelations I never put the book down. I just could not. I needed to see where this was going. The tension throughout was palpable. The shocking ending was even better than I could have imagined. The story grabs you in immediately and keeps you engaged throughout the entire book.

A night of fun turns dark when Maia's husband Brad reveals he may have killed a man. Brad tries to walk it back, but Maia sees the cold, dark look in his eyes and believes it to be the truth. Now, on high alert, she is suspicious of everything Brad does. Having already lost one daughter, Maia will do anything to protect her other daughter, even if it means taking down her husband.

Sinclair's articulate writing, attention to detail, and creative imagination have landed him on my author's list. He creates characters that are real and easy to relate to. This is a must-read for domestic suspense lovers. I look forward to the next Alex Sinclair book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy
129 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2025
A dark and gripping psychological thriller that will keep you awake and turning pages.

Maia is struggling with the grief of losing her daughter. Her family and friends are trying to support her and Brad to come to terms with the tragedy. Then, a silly party game turns her already upside down world inside out. Prescribed medication for her depression she is hiding away and overprotective of her second child, Abby. In an attempt to draw her out, her husband, Brad, suggests a dinner party on home ground with selected and sympathetic friends. Maia manages to get through all the greetings and small chat, and the dinner is a success. She starts to relax, and someone suggests a party game, Two Truths and One Lie. The game procedes well until Brad's turn when, well oiled with wine, he states he hasn't seen a Harry Potter, he'd once stolen a bike and "I once killed a man" the whole room is laughing at the last ridiculous lie until Maia looks into Brad's eyes and fear strikes her. from then on, the story gets darker. Did Brad's really kill someone? Why is he acting strangely and trying to cover something up? Maia gets more and more paranoid and suspicious until.....
Profile Image for Lisa Robertson.
2 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2025
I’m grateful to Netgalley, the author, and Joffe Books for allowing me to read and review this arc.

I’d rate this book 2.5⭐️ rounded up.

This was a decent thriller with some intriguing twists at the end. However, I do feel it suffered from some breadcrumbing throughout, with little payoff until the final 25%. The beginning and middle sections were quite slow, and I did find myself not always wanting to pick it up. I did also feel the writing style lent a tad simplistic.

However despite these flaws, I did really enjoy the conclusion and raced through the final chapters, as I do enjoy unreliable narrators in thrillers and this one really switched the switch at the end and linked everything well.

Overall, it’s not a favourite book, but I was eager to find out what had happened by the end and I was intrigued. I’ll keep this author and their works in mind for future thrillers if they sound up my alley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Diane Elizabeth Taylor.
230 reviews13 followers
September 29, 2025
In this dark and twisty read we arrive at the anniversary party of Maia and Brad, their first since the drowning of their daughter, Imogen.
Determined to move on for her husband and surviving daughter, Abby, Maia's resolve quickly crumbles as cryptic comments from her husband and best friend ignite serious concerns.
As Maia desperately delves into the past to uncover her fragmented memories, the plot thickens with every turn.
Alex Smith expertly builds escalating tension with each dead end and resurfacing long-ago memory, making you question everyone's motive and I was racing through the pages into the wee small hours.
Is Maia and her family in danger from external forces, or from the truth she's fighting to remember?
The surprise ending makes you question everything you've read! A must read for fans of tense thrillers.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
140 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2025
What a wild ride! This book was gripping and had me wanting to keep turning the page. I didn’t know what to think throughout the whole book. Who can you trust? You know things are not what they seem but what is the truth. Is it an unreliable narrator? A devious husband? A suspicious best friend? You will definitely want to read this one!

A psychological thriller at its finest! Maia is our main female character and she has a three year old daughter, Abby. Maia and her husband, Brad, lost their daughter Imogen five years ago. Since then Maia has pretty much been a shut in and shielding Abby from life.

Brad wants to have an anniversary dinner for their tenth. They decide to play two truths and a lie with their friends. One of the things Brad says is he killed someone. This starts Maia questioning does she really know Brad? Would he be capable of murder?

Thank you NetGalley and Joffee Books for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Leanne.
2,122 reviews43 followers
October 12, 2025
A casual dinner party to celebrate their anniversary turns into a living nightmare when Maia's husband Brad confesses "I killed a man". He says that he is just joking but Maia can tell by his eyes that he's not. Maia is still suffering from unimaginable grief from there eldest daughters passing but she is determined to protect there younger daughter at all costs. What unravels is a compelling highly addictive and stressful story. I loved this plot from the first page and the more I read the more in love and engrossed I became. It's heartbreaking feeling of grief resulting in mental illness is not easy to read but I couldn't turn away. The twist blinded me and I hadn't guessed that it was coming. Totally blew me into the sky and beyond. It is a unpredictable physcological thriller that will have you up late at night still reading! If I could give it more than five stars I would because it is very worthy.
Profile Image for Patricia.
664 reviews31 followers
October 12, 2025
One thing is certain - some people should never play Two Truths One Lie while also imbibing! Don't be like Brad. Brad blurts out that he "killed a man" during an anniversary dinner that was supposed to help ease him and his wife, Maia back into socializing after the loss of their son five years ago. But it sets in motion a landslide of emotions in Maia...during which she relentlessly tries to find out what Brad is hiding.

She will wish she hadn't.

I love how the author portrays the downward spiral of Maia and the lengths to which Brad goes to cover up his secret. I was horrified to see the author kill his darlings, but it was all for the sake of a good story. Unlikable characters, an intricate mystery, and some twists and turns made this a fast-paced thriller.

Thanks to Joffe Books for an advanced reader's copy!
Profile Image for Lucy Brookfield.
13 reviews
September 1, 2025
I was gripped from the start. To begin a book nearing the end sets the scene and makes you wonder how they got to that part. Then back to ‘before’ setting the characters and story development. I went through a range of emotions liking and disliking many of the characters as more is shown of their deceit and deflections. I genuinely disliked Brad (the husband) through much of the book, and thought London (the best friend) was an utter cow, but as the book progressed I started shifting alliances. There were enough twists and lies to keep me from realising ‘who done it’ until the last few chapters and even then I wanted and needed to finish to see if I was correct.
Ive not read anything by this author before but will look out for more books now.
Profile Image for Sue.
792 reviews
September 2, 2025
Maia doesn't trust her husband after a dinner celebrating their anniversary, a game is played - and Maia sees something in Brad's eyes that makes her wonder what type of man she is married to.

Maia has mental health issues, and unravels through the book. She doesn't believe her husband is protecting her.
This thriller is perfectly paced, gripping and quite emotional. The loss of a child does something to a parent, and they never recover.

I have read a few of Alex Sinclair's books, and have enjoyed every one of them.

You won't regret reading this, it is chilling, emotional, sad and suspenseful.

161 reviews
September 11, 2025
Plot....amazing! Characters....even more amazing....what can I say about this book but AMAZING!

Maia and Brad hold a dinner part for some of their friends. When they decide to play a game of 2 truths, 1 lie, Brad reveals he once killed a man! Let me just tell you...just when you think you have this all figured out, the twists and turns in this book just keep coming. Is Brad actually a killer? Who can be trusted? Can Maia trust her husband? You will just have to read to find out. I could not put this read down!

Loved this book and could not recommend it more!
4.5 STARS!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Sinclair, and Joffe Books for the eArc!
Profile Image for Jennifer TW.
85 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2025
Thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Maia and her husband Brad are still mourning the death of their first daughter Imogen. They host an anniversary dinner party with their friends & family having been reclusive in the years since Imogen’s passing. During the party the couples play a game of Two Truths & One Lie, which sets off a chain of events that sends Maia into a spiral. What did Brad mean by his revelation? Why did the man who was involved in Imogen’s death go missing? And why can’t Maia remember anything from that time? A twisty thriller and my first time to read something from this author. Recommended!
44 reviews
October 6, 2025
Her young daughter was brutally murdered at the hands of a stranger and now five years later, she's trying to put the pieces of her life back together and create some sort of "normal". Then during an anniversary part with friends, her husband takes his turn playing "two truths and a lie" and says that he's never seen Harry Potter, he once stole a bike, and he murdered a man.

Memories and reality begin to have blurred lines as she tries and figure out if she's married to a murderer or loosing her mind. Or is it something even worse?

This one was a page turner and I kept that feeling of "something is not right" all throughout. A fast paced and enjoyable thriller.
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