What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mortality in Lies
In Belle Epoque Paris, British journalist Percy Welles hires the beautiful and eccentric Georges Seigneur to help him run a news wire service. Georges draws Welles into an examination of the notorious Dreyfus Affair, the case of a French officer unmasked as a traitor and a spy. But Welles has a secret, one he cannot reveal to Georges: he has been sent to Paris by the British government to run an agent of his own. Torn between his love for Georges and his duty to his country, Welles attempts to strike a balance between them.
Meanwhile, French Lieutenant Andre Durand joins a legendary colonial officer on a secret mission into the heart of equatorial Africa. The small band of adventurers intend to march three thousand miles across the dark continent to reach their objective, from whence they mean to expel the British from Africa.
When Welles learns of Durand’s mission, he must choose between his duty to his country, his love for Georges and his own conscience.
The Mortality in Lies recreates the intrigue of late 19th century Europe, the age of the Great Powers and the struggle for colonial empire. It is a scrupulously researched work based on the events of the two great political crises of late 19th-century France.
Meanwhile, French Lieutenant Andre Durand joins a legendary colonial officer on a secret mission into the heart of equatorial Africa. The small band of adventurers intend to march three thousand miles across the dark continent to reach their objective, from whence they mean to expel the British from Africa.
When Welles learns of Durand’s mission, he must choose between his duty to his country, his love for Georges and his own conscience.
The Mortality in Lies recreates the intrigue of late 19th century Europe, the age of the Great Powers and the struggle for colonial empire. It is a scrupulously researched work based on the events of the two great political crises of late 19th-century France.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
9 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 9, 2019
The Mortality in Lies is a wide-ranging novel, dealing with events in the late 1800s from Paris to London to Africa. It's largely a spy story, with a heavy serving of geopolitics and a bit of romance as well.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of the Englishman Percy Welles, a journalist-turned-spy-handler in Paris. Initially the story is mostly about Welles himself, ranging from his business to love life to spy intrigue. Gradually, the scope broadens to include scandals in the French government and maneuvering by France in Africa to challenge English control of Egypt. A good chunk of the mid-to-late parts of the book are from the viewpoint of Andre Durand, a French officer describing a difficult trip across the African continent.
There's a lot of intrigue in this book, as one would expect from a spy story. A bit of action as well, though not much. This isn't a Bond-style spy story where the protagonist might as well be a superhero. And that Africa trip is a major adventure in its own right. In the colonial world of the time, that trip takes months and exacts a brutal toll.
Both Welles and Durand are flawed characters who struggle with their own morality through the story. Both of them take actions that they later bitterly regret, and spend significant effort to rectify. This crisis of conscience theme is a major component of the story, and is especially noticeable against the backdrop of the times. Antisemitism, racism, gender inequality, colonialism...all rampant in the late nineteenth century and very much part of the world of this novel.
For the most part the story moves along well, though I did feel it dragged a bit in parts. I thought there was a bit too much back-and-forth between what Welles is doing and Durand's Africa trip, and I got a bit impatient in the middle third of the book. Things pick up as all the threads come together at the end, though.
Overall I thought The Mortality in Lies was an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction, particularly if you enjoy intrigue and a bit of conscience-struggle on the part of the main characters.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of the Englishman Percy Welles, a journalist-turned-spy-handler in Paris. Initially the story is mostly about Welles himself, ranging from his business to love life to spy intrigue. Gradually, the scope broadens to include scandals in the French government and maneuvering by France in Africa to challenge English control of Egypt. A good chunk of the mid-to-late parts of the book are from the viewpoint of Andre Durand, a French officer describing a difficult trip across the African continent.
There's a lot of intrigue in this book, as one would expect from a spy story. A bit of action as well, though not much. This isn't a Bond-style spy story where the protagonist might as well be a superhero. And that Africa trip is a major adventure in its own right. In the colonial world of the time, that trip takes months and exacts a brutal toll.
Both Welles and Durand are flawed characters who struggle with their own morality through the story. Both of them take actions that they later bitterly regret, and spend significant effort to rectify. This crisis of conscience theme is a major component of the story, and is especially noticeable against the backdrop of the times. Antisemitism, racism, gender inequality, colonialism...all rampant in the late nineteenth century and very much part of the world of this novel.
For the most part the story moves along well, though I did feel it dragged a bit in parts. I thought there was a bit too much back-and-forth between what Welles is doing and Durand's Africa trip, and I got a bit impatient in the middle third of the book. Things pick up as all the threads come together at the end, though.
Overall I thought The Mortality in Lies was an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction, particularly if you enjoy intrigue and a bit of conscience-struggle on the part of the main characters.
December 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book very much. It grabs your interest immediately, and holds it thorough out. I particularly liked the author's powers of description, of various characters, of scenery and of the newly (at that time) constructed Eiffel Tower. The protagonist was likable and sympathetic. The juxtaposition of the two main stories of the novel were handled well and come to a believable conclusion. I have recommended this book to friends and relatives and have received very positive feedback.
May 25, 2021
Set in the late 19th century, this is a fictitious story built around the infamous Dreyfus Affair and a land grab in Africa. Captain Alfred Dreyfus has been accused of selling secrets to the Germans. A Court Marshall finds him guilty and sentences him to a life term on Devil’s Island. The entire business is shrouded in mystery. He is tried in secret and no evidence has been revealed against him. His wife and brother are firm in their conviction of his innocence and are supported by Georges Seigneur and her father, who is a lawyer. Georges works with Percival Welles, a reporter, who is in Paris to start a news service. This is just a front. Unbeknownst to George, Percy is a go-between, passing on secrets from French spy Count Esterhazy to a British spy agency. Having fallen in love with Georges, Percy finds himself drawn into the Dreyfus Affair, which puts him in an impossible position – trying to prove the innocence of one accused spy while shielding the identity of another, and at the same time keeping from the woman he loves what he is up to.
The writer weaves together two parallel stories. The other concerns an intrepid band of Frenchmen who set out on a four thousand mile trek into the heart of Africa, a trip that is likely to take months and put them in dangerous situations. Where are they going? Why are they making this dangerous journey? And what does it have to do with Dreyfus?
Much of the African trip is told through the journal of Andre Durand. Like Percy, he does things that he regrets. Both men suffer crises of conscience and feel compelled to put things right. Georges is an independent woman with a mind of her own and an eccentric streak. At first glance, she is feisty, fearless, and passionate, with a sharp wit, (the first meeting between her and Percy is terrific). She makes a perfect foil for the rather sober Englishman.
The book has a broad scope, touching upon scandals in the French government and army, and the struggle for supremacy in Africa. The author keeps it simple, does not allow these aspects to overwhelm the human elements.
I do have a couple of little grumbles. I feel the character Georges fails to live up to the first impression and becomes more predictable and much less interesting. Then there is that cover. An uninteresting picture of the Eiffel Tower tells us nothing of what lies behind it.
On the whole, it is an enjoyable combination of history/mystery. ****
The writer weaves together two parallel stories. The other concerns an intrepid band of Frenchmen who set out on a four thousand mile trek into the heart of Africa, a trip that is likely to take months and put them in dangerous situations. Where are they going? Why are they making this dangerous journey? And what does it have to do with Dreyfus?
Much of the African trip is told through the journal of Andre Durand. Like Percy, he does things that he regrets. Both men suffer crises of conscience and feel compelled to put things right. Georges is an independent woman with a mind of her own and an eccentric streak. At first glance, she is feisty, fearless, and passionate, with a sharp wit, (the first meeting between her and Percy is terrific). She makes a perfect foil for the rather sober Englishman.
The book has a broad scope, touching upon scandals in the French government and army, and the struggle for supremacy in Africa. The author keeps it simple, does not allow these aspects to overwhelm the human elements.
I do have a couple of little grumbles. I feel the character Georges fails to live up to the first impression and becomes more predictable and much less interesting. Then there is that cover. An uninteresting picture of the Eiffel Tower tells us nothing of what lies behind it.
On the whole, it is an enjoyable combination of history/mystery. ****
April 30, 2026
The Mortality in Lies by Scott Gibson is a tense and concept driven work that suggests themes of deception, consequence, and the fragile boundary between truth and survival. The title immediately signals psychological weight, implying a narrative where lies carry serious consequences that may affect life, relationships, or identity.
What stands out most is the strong sense of moral tension and intrigue embedded in the concept. The combination of “mortality” and “lies” suggests a story built around high stakes deception, where truth becomes a matter of survival rather than preference. This kind of framing typically appeals to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and suspenseful narratives that explore trust, consequence, and human behavior under pressure. It is a gripping and thought provoking work with clear suspense potential.
What stands out most is the strong sense of moral tension and intrigue embedded in the concept. The combination of “mortality” and “lies” suggests a story built around high stakes deception, where truth becomes a matter of survival rather than preference. This kind of framing typically appeals to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and suspenseful narratives that explore trust, consequence, and human behavior under pressure. It is a gripping and thought provoking work with clear suspense potential.
January 24, 2020
I usually don't read stories that take place in late 19th century or center around colonial expansion, but I took a gamble and it paid off. I found that the plot held my interest and kept me guessing. I appreciated that about this era/genre of book.
I became attached to the characters and cared what happened to them. They felt real in a period of time I know little about. The book held my interest and kept me going, which made it fun for me to read during the cold and rainy days I was experiencing where I live.
There are two concurrent stories running throughout the book which appear to have little relationship to each other in the beginning. The good thing is that both stories are well developed with interesting characters. As the two plots merged, and the two stories/timelines intersected, I had the same feeling when I am quickly filling in the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The whole picture comes into focus and makes sense.
It was a very satisfying read and I feel confident recommending it others, especially to people like me who don't usually go looking for this kind of book.
I became attached to the characters and cared what happened to them. They felt real in a period of time I know little about. The book held my interest and kept me going, which made it fun for me to read during the cold and rainy days I was experiencing where I live.
There are two concurrent stories running throughout the book which appear to have little relationship to each other in the beginning. The good thing is that both stories are well developed with interesting characters. As the two plots merged, and the two stories/timelines intersected, I had the same feeling when I am quickly filling in the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The whole picture comes into focus and makes sense.
It was a very satisfying read and I feel confident recommending it others, especially to people like me who don't usually go looking for this kind of book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews