All the Lies

Breakdown #3

by Peggy Webb

THE BREAKDOWN BROADENS... Julia Ford is hidden in plain sight in Shutter Lake, her local newspaper column, The Good Life, belying the fact that she was once famous globally for investigative journalism… and for the unthinkable act that put her on the run. But her past shows up in the form of FBI agent “Rick” Richards, looking for a partner last seen in the area. Their search draws them into the hunt for Sylvia Cole’s killer, exposes Julia’s demons and unearths another deadly secret in a once-perfect town built on lies.

Genres: Thriller

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2018

About the author

Peggy Webb. USA Today Bestseller, is the author of more than 100 novels. Her thrillers and literary novels have topped Amazon charts. A former adjunct instructor of writing at Mississippi State University, Millions of her novels have sold around the world in more than 25 languages. Peggy is the most prolific writer her home state of Mississippi has ever produced, and she is considered one of the most beloved and iconic authors in the business. Pat Conroy calls her literary work "astonishing," Kathie Fong Yoneda labels it "brilliant," and readers consider her books "Must Reads." Peggy's has won numerous awards, including many Reviewer's Choice, the Maggie, a Waldenbooks Award for #1 Bestseller of the Year, several Word Weaving Award of Excellence, and the prestigious Pioneer Award for creating the subgenre of romantic comedy. One of her novels was submitted for a Pulitzer. Peggy also writes under the pen names, Anna Michaels and Elaine Hussey.

Peggy is an accomplished pianist and singer, and has graced the stage of her local community theater in roles such as M'lynn in Steel Magnolias (played by Sally Field in the movie), and the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. She composed the blues lyrics she credited to her characters in two of her books, including her latest thriller series from Bookouture, the Logan Sisters. She passed her love of music to her family. Her son plays guitar and harmonica, her daughter and two granddaughters sing, her youngest grandson plays piano, and her grandson David Webb made the gorgeous photographs that appear through her new, state-of-the-art website. For her latest news, visit her website at peggywebb.com, stop by her blog to leave a note, and contact her with any questions. She appreciates her fans and loves hearing what you think.



Series:
* Westmoreland Diaries
* A Southern Cousins Mystery

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this, the third of a four-part series written by four different authors, we find Julia Ford in Shutter Lake working for her local newspaper. As an investigative journalist, she was once heralded as the best in the business, but after what happened to her previously (see JUST ONE LOOK) she want to enjoy the peace and quiet here in Shutter Lake.

But recently things have changed. On young businesswoman has been viciously murdered. Upon investigation, some secrets have been revealed ...mainly that she was blackmailing a lot of the residents ... which gives half the town a reason for wanting her dead.

The murdered woman was mentoring a foreign student, and Josie Rodriguez disappeared after supposedly getting on a plane back to her family in Venezuela. Did she actually get on the plane? If she made if back to her home country, who would have prevented her from seeing her family?

Julia is looking into this, hoping against hope that her disappearance has nothing to do with the murdered woman. But now there's a new wrinkle ...

FBI Agent Rick Richardson appears on Julia's doorstep ... her former lover. It seems his FBI partner has gone missing ... he was last known to be in Shutter Lake. Several locals have said they remembered seeing him with the murdered woman shortly before her death.

Another thread connecting the three cases?

As with most series, there is a serious cliff-hanger hopefully to be fully satisfied with the reading of TRUST NO ONE (novella) and then WHAT SHE KNEW... both written by Regan Black.

It's been a suspenseful series, with strong unforgettable characters.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Strong leading female characters, four different points of view to the murder mystery in a small town of Shutter Lake and to the secrets revealed while solving the mystery. The Breakdown four-part serial novel is written by four suspense authors and published only a week apart from each other.
All The Lies is the third installment to the serial mystery novel told by the point of view of Julia Ford, the Pulitzer nominated famous investigative crime journalist, now living the quiet life in Shutter Lake. Julia's decision to leave Chicago came after tragic events in her life, events that left scars to her mind and soul, events that still play out in her nightmares after five years of healing.
The investigation of the recent murder in the town, and the disappearance of a young girl, and an FBI agent brings the hunted memories back to her mind and her ex-lover back to her life.
I was left with some questions about Rick, the ex-lover, and to some of the points to the shared history with Julia. Since the finale to the serial novel is told by another woman's point of view, I am afraid these questions will be left open-ended.
Rick and Julia immerse into the investigation of the two missing people, and the connection between them is like before like no time has passed. They read each other's minds, without words they communicate with each other while on the case, yet the lies that were told between them years ago broke the fragile trust and any possibility for second chances.
The details of the secrets of the prominent people of the town are coming to the light, at least to the readers, and shows the gritty, dirty lies the people are living with.
Each clue Julie and Rick reveal links the missing people with the murder victim. Something dangerous and deadly is happening in Shutter Lake and considering what we have learned about the secret lives of the local folks, anything is possible at this point.
The story of the previous books continues rather seamlessly, and this one as well ends in a cliffhanger. Even though each installment does have a new heroine, the tales are linked with each other and needs to be read in the order they are published in.
An intriguing, cozy, small-town murder mystery that crumbles the walls of the fabricated facades covering the true colors of the rich and famously talented folks of Shutter Lake
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Lies is the third installment and Peggy Webb’s contribution to the Breakdown series. The series continues in Shutter Lake with Julia Ford on the run. She experiences danger and fast-paced action. I could not put the book down. It is that good. I had it read in one sitting.

All the Lies is getting a well deserved 5 plus stars from me. I can not wait to see what happens in the last book of the series.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book in the Breakdown series, and I am really enjoying this series. I would certainly recommend them to others.

[Denise H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Breakdown Series is a 4-part suspense series by 4 different authors, each focusing on a different leading woman whose job has the necessary connections to help in finding the truth behind the murder of one of their own. Each woman has a powerful job that gives them an edge with information and secrets hidden in this quaint community. As a cop, school principal/psychologist, an investigative reporter, and a doctor they each have a skill set that can contribute to solving the crime and bringing a killer to justice.

This 4-part series is an awesome read. The stories flow seamlessly from one book to the next to where you cannot even tell they are written by 4 different authors. They fit together that well.

The third book in the series, All the Lies by Peggy Webb is certainly just that. Lies are exposed and more secrets discovered as Julia Ford, a former investigative reporter, starts digging into the murder of Sylvia Cole and disappearance of a young girl, Josie, who also worked for Sylvia, at the request of a friend. Julia is both warry and anxious to jump back into her old ways. Her own past demons are close to the surface and wading back into her investigative past is certainly not helping her leave her past behind. To make matters worse and add another level of urgency to the case, an old friend from the FBI arrives on her doorstep with news that his partner is missing and this sleepy little town was his destination. Sylvia, Josie and now a missing FBI agent… Is there a connection between the three? When Julia and Rick partner up and start asking questions and snooping around, it is obvious that certain persons of interest in Sylvia’s murder definitely know more than they have revealed to the police. With the police still investigating and now the FBI’s presence, some of these people start to unravel and give a little more away. Will they be able to unravel the new clues and put together timelines before it is too late for the missing?

Once again, the storyline is flawless and flows perfectly from one book to the next, picking up right where the previous left off. The writing is, again, excellent and engaging. You will find once you start this series it will be hard to stop. You will want to rush to the next book to see what comes next and how close the killer is to being revealed. I have yet to figure it out, it just boggles the mind. There are many suspects with plenty of motives and no clue in sight to who actually could have committed the crime. I have a feeling it will be a person we did not see coming. I am so excited to find out. I am off to the final book of this addictive series to see who it is!

The series includes – The Dead Girl by Debra Webb, So Many Secrets by Vicki Hinze, All the Lies by Peggy Webb and What She Knew by Regan Black. You will want to read each book in the series in order.

*I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of these books by the authors with no obligation to read/review. I am voluntarily reading this series and providing my honest reviews for each book. The thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Jo Ann Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Once globally famous for her ​investigative reporting, Julia Ford is hiding in the peaceful town of Shutter Lake, hiding from her past and the nightmare she barley survived....that is until the unthinkable happens...a murder here in the place most people would never consider it happening. The murder of Sylvia Cole brings her past rushing back into her life as FBI agent “Rick” Richards comes knocking on her door. They are once again thrown together as Rick's search for his missing partner crashes into the investigation into Sylvia's murder.


​ This fast paced, page turning mystery is the third in the new 4 book min-series BREAKDOWN.
​Peggy adds her own flavor to this exciting new mini series with her book that is distinctly hew own voice as she tells a passionate story of searching for the truth​ and learning to live with the past.​
Enjoy, then grab the last book in the series releasing next Thursday, October 25th!​

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

My overview of the entire series is one of fascination, as I cannot fathom how four different authors can put together one story in four different parts like this. I know authors have enjoyed doing collaborations such as these, but to now I have mostly seen only romance series where each author takes on a different character and his/her relationship. They build a bit on the previous stories. But to do a murder suspense series requires an entirely different kind of outlining and mapping to be successful.

Each book is told from a different point-of-view of one of four female friends, though you get a few peeks into the worlds of others as well. Each of these people have moved to Shutter Lake, hoping to find some peace from a traumatic past. And then the unthinkable happens, setting them and the entire town on edge. Secrets are around every corner. You would think that in a small town, everyone would know everyone else's business and secrets would be difficult to maintain, but not the case here. The more they know, the less they know. It's intriguing to read through and uncover the secrets along with the characters.

And even if you think you know what all of the secrets are or who did what, you don't really know. The innocent victim isn't as innocent as one would like to think. Twists and turns are obstacles down many of the paths and will keep you bumping the pages forward as quickly as you can through all four of these books. I think it would make for a great miniseries.

My review of this particular title:

Julia is the focus of this book. She has her own past with trauma and secrets, having been an investigative journalist. She is very good at her job, and can potentially expose even more than anyone else has been able to figure out to this point. And there is so much to investigate, as so many secrets have been revealed. And now someone else is missing, bringing some of Julia's past back to her, and revealing that the two cases are connected. As more of Julia's past is revealed to me, it makes me want to have her backstory written in another book, because I think it would make a fascinating read, more so than any of the other characters thus far whose secrets have been revealed.

We're also starting to see different sides of some of the characters we have known thus far, and it's making the wheels in my head turn even more. More is revealed about Heidi, the owner of Batter Up, as well as Chief McCabe and one of the prominent local families. Things are getting tense in this small town, and the facades are rapidly dropping.

This installment of the series reads even faster than the first two, and leaves off at another sort of cliffhanger that is going to make you want the fourth book on hand immediately to wrap up the mystery.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #3 of a four-book series called Breakdown. The series is fantastic and all books need to be read in order. Each book focuses on a different resident of the small, idyllic town of Shutter Lake. The town suddenly loses its idealism when a wealthy young entrepreneur, Sylvia Cole, is found murdered. All of the residents are on the alert, but none more so than Julia Ford, an investigative reporter who used to work for a huge newspaper conglomerate in Chicago. In the sleepy town of Shutter Lake where crime didn’t used to happen, now Julia is thrown into the middle of the chaos when her former lover, FBI agent Patrick Richardson, comes to town, seeking his friend and fellow agent Evan Adler who has disappeared. Julia teams up with “Rick” to find information about the missing agent and the missing girl who worked for Sylvia, convinced that the two disappearances are linked. The plot is engaging and will keep the readers entertained into late into the night, learning Julia’s story and trying to find out what is really happening in Shutter Lake.


Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions that I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Lissanne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues in this, the third book in the series. The idyllic town of Shutter Lake is now one fraught with suspicion and secrecy, and those secrets continue to unravel as our heroine for this book, investigative reporter Julia Ford, digs deeper into the murder of Sylvia Cole.

Julia came to Shutter Lake from Chicago after she was abducted by a serial killer known as the Jack ‘O Lantern killer. She only escaped him by killing him, but what exactly happened to her during the time he held her prisoner remains a mystery. While there are references sprinkled to her ordeal throughout the book, it never delves too deeply into what happened to her.

She agrees to contact a ‘friend’ in the FBI after Dana asks her to, but what she doesn’t tell her friends is that her contact is her ex-lover, Special Agent Patrick Richardson. Before she can call him, though, he turns up on her doorstep because his partner has gone missing and his last known location was none other than… Shutter Lake. After asking around, it seems he was looking into the disappearance of a young woman, Josie, who worked for Sylvia Cole and vanished several months ago.

Julia and Rick pick up the investigation, which not only leads them to uncovering more secrets of the town’s residents but a tragic situation which only deepens the mystery afoot. Another great installment that will keep you hanging for the last book, in which we get all the answers (hopefully!).

[Catlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylvia Cole is dead, and the small, idyllic town of Shutter Lake is in turmoil. This episode focuses on Julia Ford, lifestyle columnist for the local paper, and former crime investigative reporter. We are also introduced to FBI Special Agent Patrick Richards, who’s a close friend of Julia’s from her former life and has come to Shutter Lake looking for his missing partner. While Julia’s looking for Josie Rodriguez, she agrees to help Rick find out what happened to his partner. They quickly discover that the 2 missing persons may be connected to each other and to the murder of Sylvia Cole. As more secrets are revealed and the mystery deepens, we continue to become more deeply entrenched in the lives of the citizens of this sleepy, (not so) perfect town and more invested in the outcomes of the crimes that seem to be multiplying.

As with the previous episodes, this riveting tale of murder and mystery continues to hold your attention and at the edge of your seat. Like the other books, this story is fast paced and keeps you guessing who the possible perpetrator could be. Although we learn more secrets, we’re left wondering what more is yet to be revealed in this challenging who done it. The fourth and final book should reveal all as we anxiously await the outcome of the crimes surrounding the murder of Sylvia Cole. Stay tuned, the end is in sight!

[Joyce Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

All The Lies

All The Lies continues the story of murder and possible human trafficking in this beautiful town where crime simply does not happen. Peggy Webb has outdone herself in the continued mystery that began with The Dead Girl and continued with So Many Secrets and now All The Lies tells more of the secrets of this town. I have fallen in love with the characters of Laney, Dana, Ana and Julia four friends with their own secrets and past heartbreaking stories. I can’t wait to read the final book in the Breakdown series and discover who the killer is. The complexity of this story is so amazing as all of these amazing writers continue the story. I am totally enjoying this mystery. It is keeping me guessing till the end and keeping me up at night.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still loving this mini-series! We finally get a few answers in this installment, but of course there are now even more questions! In addition to Sylvia's death and Josie's disappearance, there is now the disappearance of an FBI agent to thicken the plot even more. I liked getting to know Julia and enjoyed her POV here. We also got a few sections from the POVs of Heidi as well as the police chief. So excited to read the final installment!

*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the series!!

This book digs even deeper into the world of Shutter Lake. What secrets still lurk in the heart of this once perfect American city? Already several leading citizens have had their deepest darkest secrets exposed. Will there be more killings? Where is Josie, the teenage exchange student from South America? And still the question remains, who killed Silvia? All the answers are in this excellent book. Don't miss this outstanding book. Highly recommended.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third book from the “Breakdown Series,” the reader learns more about Julia Ford, the local columnist for the Shutter Lake Newspaper. She, too, came to Shutter Lake to live in peace after her life as a well-known investigative journalist got her kidnapped.
A former friend of hers, an FBI agent named Rick, has arrived in Shutter Lake looking for a friend of his-another FBI agent named Adler. They find themselves also looking for Sylvia’s murderer.
Another fast-paced (and too short) read. This time the author is Peggy Webb. She, too, does a great job at keeping the series going.

[LeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan

This series is frustrating to read. The books are written by different authors and each book tells the ongoing story from a different character's perspective. There are some aspects that just don't make sense. For example, how is a rain jacket so cumbersome that it might impede a walking search along a riverbank? This is now the third book that ends right in the middle of the action. I will read on because I want to know whodunit, but then I'm done with this author. This style is too frustrating.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this mini-series to everyone who enjoys a fast moving suspenseful story line with lots of turns and twists. This series is a very fast read that glides the reader into the next book, wanting you to find out what happened.

I understand that friendship is one of the most important things in life. It is demonstrated over and over in the series by the strong ties of the four female characters throughout all the books.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

All The Lies by Peggy Webb is the third book in the Breakdown series. Journalist, Julia Ford, teams up with her old boyfriend, FBI agent Patrick Richards known as Rick, to search for a missing girl and Rick’s partner who is also missing. These developments all seem to be tied in with the murder of Sylvia Cole.
An intriguing read, All The Lies by Peggy Webb, will keep you turning pages and make you anxious to read the fourth book in the Breakdown series, What She Knew by Regan Black.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is more than just amazing! These books will have you lost from reality into each story, in each character and trying to figure it out before the end. Each book has a different author, which is remarkable how well they collaborated the series and makes for a great one at that! This is a set that you have to read for yourself to understand just how well these are written and will pull you in from start to end!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Ford is an investigative journalist that is quietly living her life in Shutter Lake until Sylvia Cole is murdered and her friends want her help by looking into some of the events that have been going on in the quiet town. Then her ex boyfriend shows up looking for his partner that was last seen in the area, and hasn't been seen since. Their search leads them to uncover even more secrets as the series unfolds.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another tantalizing episode

This story centers around Julia Ford. We get a look at her past and why she moved to Shutter Lake. Secrets from various citizens emerge and the fact that Sylvia was blackmailing them. There is also more information on the disappearance of Josie who never made it to Venezuela. What a FBI agent is also missing from the same area. He was even seen with Sylvia a couple of times. More questions. I need the next book.

[Patricia Grogan Bugher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment of the Breakdown series. Each installment is written by a different author. This one is by Peggy Webb and very well down. Everyone is still on the hunt for Sylvia’s killer but this book also leaves us with another dead body and a missing FBI agent. Looking forward to the conclusion in installment #4.

[Kimberly Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

More!

I want more and don’t want to wait for book 4 to be released! This series is awesome, with some of the finest romantic suspense authors in the industry, you cannot go wrong. Peggy Webb’s All the Lies offers insights into characters that we thought we knew, shows the strength of friendship bonds and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Loved it.

[bonnie kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Lies

This is is a thrilling series. The only bad thing about it is that it's a continuing series. You have to read each book to find out what is happening. I'm about to start the last book in the series and I hope it will answer all the questions . I recommend this series.

[Helen Bakunowich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars

The best so far for me. I just find so much rhetoric from the four friends a bit boring. So, they all have a forgettable history. I like a much more faster storyline and although their pasts are interesting too much of the story revolves around this subject. In stating that the series is good overall.

[Gordon L. Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues.......

A good continuation of the series. This author does a good job of keeping the plot moving and the characters consistent......There's some "fill -in" material that gets in the way of the story but it is minimal and easily scanned thru.....overall a creditable work.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fab installment in this ongoing series! Strong women with a great mystery! Julia like the other featured women has a dark, difficult past that she is trying to put behind her. I love the resilience of these friends, and the fact they have each other’s backs!Onto the last book!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Webb delivers a bit of past romance in this episode of Breakdown. Julia Ford's past is coming back to haunt her when her former lover tries to not only rekindle their romance, but engage her in her once lucrative career of investigative journalism.

This book has a lot of starts and stops and is a bit difficult to follow. I enjoyed the last half of the book where some of the pieces came together.

I recommend reading if you are already engaged in the series.

[Ed Duffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth Begins to Show Up

This is a great series of books. Someway the story is put together by several different authors. You will think the same person wrote it all. I can't wait to read more.

[Wendy Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting there.

I'm enjoying this series, but I can't see how the other 3 girls would be allowed to turn detective. Nothing has been said about them holding back information. Which they really have done

[Penny Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of this series is best yet

I am now into these books and answers to each woman’s issues, but not the crime. This book ends with what was expected, except we learned of two others who were innocent of Sybil Cole’s murder. And the reward keeps rising.